TDM #22

[duplicitymods]

« « « TEST DRIVE MEME » » »

« « « ALL ON DISPLAY

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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

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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

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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

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(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

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(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

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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!!

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» » » MAIN NAVIGATION « « «

Comments

Eric Banyon - Bedlam's Bard Novels - Dominant

[bedlams_bard]

1. All Aboard
Eric looks perfectly uncomfortable on the train. He's used to the New York subway system, but this is a very different sort of sub-way, arguably. He's tucked himself up against a window, and is watching the interaction between different people nervously, still in the paper gown he'd been given.

As someone approaches to sit next to him, he makes sure he's not encroaching on their personal space. He's not acting very Dominant, despite the lack of any stripe on his neck.

"Sorry, sorry. New here." Like it's not woefully obvious.

2. Winter Wonderland
What sort of person whistles while they're in the middle of a snowball fight?

A bard, using his magic to try to shield himself from direct hits. Those watching closely may notice that their snowballs explode as if they've impacted something a good two to three inches away from his body. He's cheating!

But regardless of his sneaky tactics, the cold is still settling into him, filling him with the same desire as everyone else to get touchy to warm up. When he finally lets his shield down, he walks over to his opponent, offering his hand.

3. Surprises for Sale
a. Sweet Treats
Eric doesn't hesitate to get himself some hot chocolate and a couple of cookies to dip into it. Leaning up against the side of one of the market stalls as he enjoys his treat, he casually lifts his cup in a toast as someone passes by. The aphro has only just begun to settle in him, bringing a warm pink blush to his cheeks.

b. Time Keeps on Ticking
As Eric sets down a small wooden cuckoo clock, he feels the memory wash over him: his last lesson with the elf Bard who had taught him to control his magic. He turns to someone nearby, a sheepish smile on his face as he begins to talk.

"When Dharniel told me that he had nothing left to teach me, at first I thought I'd done so horrible he couldn't stand to listen to me anymore. He never was very good at showing approval."

4. Network; text, un: tamlin
i know we all come from different worlds. would anyone be interested in talking about the music of their world or time period? instruments, lyrical themes, quirks of composure...

if you can share something about the music that feels like home, maybe i'll be able to figure out how to play it for you.

X. Wildcard
darkersolstice#9463 or darkersolstice to plot out anything else you're interested in.

winter wonderland (bard vs bard)

[cacophonish]

Here's the thing: Jeff can't throw for shit. He's never had good aim, and his throwing arm's only reliable in the way that it always falls short of his targets. He's going to whiff any throw, and he knows it.

Which is why he's pretty happy to just watch and cheerlead, rooting for any submissives who've got Dominants in their crosshairs.

So he's not in the thick of it when he catches the whistling, and it doesn't take long to find the source. He watches as a few well-aimed snowballs burst before they ever hit the whistling man, and yeah, of course his first thought is: magic! Bard magic!

Well. Maybe. Hopefully? Jeff crouches in the snow, packing together a trio of snowballs, then begins to hum and sing, an abstract tune with the only goal of getting the snowballs in the air, and sending them hurtling towards the man. Looks like his magical aim's a whole lot better than his throwing arm, but it doesn't matter. The shield holds them off.

Which, like, fine, that's fine! If anything, Jeff's even more excited now, seeing another (possible) bard in action. When the guy approaches Jeff and offers a hand, he gladly accepts, with an eager, excitable chirp of, "Dude! You totally fucking cheated!"

Jeff sounds way too happy about the cheating.

[bedlams_bard]

"Dude, you say that like you weren't also cheating there." Because game recognizes game, and Bard recognizes Bard. Eric looks Jeff up and down, the handshake turning into a handhold because look, it's nicer to warm up your hands on someone else's.

"I heard you singing along, you were doing the exact same thing. I didn't think I'd run into any other bards here! How long have you been here?"

[cacophonish]

"Two months-- almost three?" Jeff's going to take it one step further: he throws his arms around the other bard and hugs him like he's the first living being he's seen in decades. It's totally impulsive, but he just assumes the two of them are from the same world.

"You're the first other bard I've found here, man! I mean, there's another, but he's like, one of those medieval bards, you know, with a lute and everything, not like-- magic, like us. Fuck, man, this is so awesome!"

[bedlams_bard]

"Look, I have busked at enough Renn Faires to call myself that kind of a bard, too, even if the historical accuracy nuts always got on me for having a metal flute." Eric accepts the hug, squeezing warmly and laughing.

"You know this means we're going to need to play together sometime, right? I've never played with another human bard before." Find the operative word in that sentence.

text: un: dax

[old_man]

I know of music from several different planets - Earth, Trill, Klingon. They're all... different, and yet also have some similarities. A few lost composers as well, although I don't have any physical copies of their works here. Just what I recall.

[bedlams_bard]

wait, wait, different PLANETS? okay, that's pretty cool. look, if you can hum or sing some of their work, maybe i'd be able to...i dunno, compose around what you know, even if you don't know all of it.

[old_man]

Plenty of different planets. Plenty of different music styles.

[And Jadzia doesn't try to draw for Joran too much, given his 'nature', but he had been a musician, and a fairly talented one at that.]

It so happens that I can hum a fair number of them, although my vocals might not be able to hit all the required notes... Klingons can be quite deep.

[bedlams_bard]

considering i only have a flute with me, i won't be able to hit those notes without cheating, myself.

what's a klingon tho?

network ► un: moiraine

[cairhien]

songs often have different names depending on where you travel even if they're the same song. nothing is ever the same as when a gleeman plays it.

[bedlams_bard]

ive never heard of a gleeman before. is that the same as like a bard?

[cairhien]

gleemen tell stories as well as songs.

[bedlams_bard]

ah, gotcha. do they also have magic in their stories and songs?

All Aboard

[brandingissues]

[She's not exactly blending in herself. They don't make it easy, do they, what with throwing them into paper hospital gowns and sticking them on a train so they're about as easy to spot as a tourist in Times' Square. She's got the dark stripe down her throat, is the difference, and she does hesitate a second before she takes the seat next to him.

One; subway etiquette right? Don't take the seat next to someone if there's anything else available and two; she's already figured out some people think a stripe down someone's neck seems to make them an easy target for whatever they want to do.

She's slapped a few hands, okay?

But when he apologizes and doesn't really act like the self-assured jackass the bare neck allows him to be she settles in, looking a little less like she's going to bolt]

No problem, seems to be a whole crop of us.

[bedlams_bard]

It makes you wonder what sort of harvest they're expecting.

[Eric offers a soft smile, sitting up a little while continuing to pointedly not-encroach on her space. He's in his mid-twenties (maybe), with his long hair loose and trying to fall in his face, trying to remain decent under the too-small hospital gown they gave him.]

I'm Eric, by the way. Just got here.

[brandingissues]

That is--a really disturbing mental picture and I wish I didn't have it, thanks.

[Any heat in the words is cut by the bright smile she sends his way, cutting out any genuine ire. It is a fucked up mental picture though and she's going to definitely have nightmares about being a part of a weird sex-plant matrix situation here.

Great.

She takes in the sight of him; the careful effort to not be in her space (does he offer lessons, she can think of twelve men immediately off the top of her head she'd like to refer from recent subway rides full of manspreading), the long hair, and the way he's trying very hard to not just expose himself to a whole train full of people.

Kate might be wrong (she's not usually, when it comes to people, it's a gift), but she thinks Eric might be a pretty good guy]

Kate. Kate Bishop.

Me too. The just got here thing. I mean I guess that's pretty obvious what with the whole hospital gown thing. But hey, from what I've heard about this place maybe that's just somebody's kink to ride around in one, and I'm not here to shame anyone.

Let your freak flag fly, you know?

But also, thanks. For not just-- [A vague gesture to his modesty] --letting everything out there.

Where are you from?

winter wonderland

[gen_derfluid]

Val has been pointedly trying not to get roped into the snowball fights happening in the streets, but that doesn't mean he actually succeeds. He's not even sure if the snowball that hits him is targeted or a misfire, but he's not actually above retaliation either way, so, fine. He packs a snowball, and throws it with what is the accuracy of someone trained to hit targets with anything that can class as a weapon—

—only it doesn't seem to actually hit the target in question, which makes no sense, because it should have been a clean shot. In fact it seems to hit something a little closer to him, something that only really registers to him not because of familiarity with magic, but technology. When your unit deploys invisibility cloaks, you get used to watching out for or being the invisible target that takes a misguided hit.

Not that he can say that's what's happening here, but something certainly is, and in trying to understand what he does leave himself a rather open target, instead of retaliating and walking off as he intended.

[bedlams_bard]

While Val's busy gawking, Eric packs another snowball, aiming for his chest. He's not trying to pack the snow hard or anything, just enough for a little mischief--and he doesn't use his magic to augment his aim, either. Which means rather than center mass, he whiffs Val's shoulder lightly.

"Y'oughta pay attention if you don't want to get hit." The comment comes with a smirk before he goes back to whistling his shield.

[gen_derfluid]

Val brushes snow off his shoulder where it does connect. When he speaks, his accent is distinctly Russian. He doesn't quite huff, but he does deadpan. "Oh, believe me I am well aware."

Clearly, something is up here, and he's begrudgingly curious enough now to find out what. So he stops just standing still, makes sure he's actually prepared to dodge another wad of snow coming his way, and then packs another snowball—he doesn't pack too hard, either, if anything it rather looks like he hasn't often played such games with snow—and throws it, just as accurate, and again, there it is exploding early.

"...you are doing something." No, he still does not know what, but he's sure of that much.

Winter Wonderland

[goldenglasses]

For a sharpshooter of Vash's skill he had been going easy on people. Taking hits he should easily be able to dodge and purposely throwing to miss. To him getting hit was part of the fun of playing in the snow. So he's a little surprised to find someone cheating and it makes him curious... just how well does that invisible barrier work?

At some point during the fray Vash disengages. For a man dressed in a bright red coat he can be good at vanishing when he wants to and right now he really wanted to. Working at climbing a tree then silently waiting for the stranger to get close enough that he can simply dump the pile of snowballs he's brought up with him all at once on top of the cheaters head. It might not work, but the attempt alone was fun enough for Vash to try.

[bedlams_bard]

Now, in order to keep his shield close in, Eric had made it a cylinder instead of a sphere, wrapping himself in a wall of force. But he hadn't considered the possibility of death from above. So when Vash dumps the snow straight down on him, he scores a direct hit. Eric sputters, collapsing dramatically into a snow drift and looking up at his attacker.

"You know, I'd pretend to be mad or something, but I think I actually deserved that one."

[goldenglasses]

The grin on Vash's face could only be described as pride as he waves down at Eric from his tree branch. "I think you did too. Force fields in a snowball fight is kind of like cheating, don't you think?"

network; un: RACKHAM

[calicoat]

I am no musician, but I am thrust here from out of time, compared to most others.

What do you want to know?

[bedlams_bard]

i suppose saying EVERYTHING might be a little much. what kind of music do you remember? what made it stand out to you?

[calicoat]

The music in my daily life is usually background noise, mood setting in the brothel or busking in the streets. Men will sing while sailing, to motivate or amuse each other.

I'm partial to the cello.