duplicitymemes | TDM #22

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TDM #22

« « « 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 « « «

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Jon's doing his best not to be caught staring by his seatmate. He's been on this damn tour so many times, he's able to tune it out and just observe the new arrivals that orientation has forced him to join. One of the downsides of flipping the bird at LIEs every month... never-ending program nonsense.

The tiefling--he looks like Jester had, just a different color--glances over at him, and Jon hurries to flick his gaze forward, putting on his least friendly frown.

"I believe it's customary to introduce yourself before asking for someone else's name."

"I think that depends on circumstance," he counters, easy and smooth and a little amused. He flashes sharp canines when he grins. One of the peacock feathers tattooed on the right side of his neck - the side that his seatmate is sitting on - has a red eye where the others all look like proper feathers. There is another red eye - serving as a tattooed snake's eye - on the back of his right hand.

Whoever had this body last was a colorful bastard, he'll give them that.

"But if you're so shy, I'll go first. Lucien."

He offers no surname, no title, nothing else at all.

The mention of being shy has Jon's jaw tightening momentarily. He's trying not to look at the eyes, but he's drawn to them. It feels like he's being watched, and it's uncomfortable when it's not the familiar eldritch presence breathing down his neck.

"The Archivist." The man can have a title, rather than a name. "You're a tiefling, right?"

A brow ticks up. The Archivist, is it? That's enough to get him at least a little curious. The only archivists he knows of that he would even care to take interest in are in the Cobalt Soul, but he has trouble imagining this little fellow in their number.

And there's something a bit off about him. Maybe it's the way he keeps looking at the eyes.

"Afraid so. Much to my mother's lasting shame." His tail flicks. "See somethin interesting?"

He's not sure how seriously to take that. Not at all, probably. Jester had been... silly. Is that a trait? Anyway, he's too... something. Friendly. He's too friendly, and that's as off-putting for Jon as ever.

"I'm a human and you're a purple demon-looking creature covered in creepy tattoos. Take a guess." Jon huffs quietly. "I'd advise getting used to people staring. You're probably going to be fetishized by the natives."

"Creepy? They aren't my usual fare, but I think they've got a bit of charm," he says as he stretches out his right hand, admiring the red-eyed snake there. If his seat-mate is quick enough to look, he might catch sight of another red eye on Lucien's palm.

His red eyes focus on the man's face again. Lucien knows they can be unnerving, pupil-less and blood-colored, and he's quite all right with that.

"Will they now? That could be fun." Fetishized by the natives? Lucien almost can't help the grin that creeps across his face. The possibilities there are endless, especially given the line running down his throat. "They wouldn't be the first."

Lucien shifts, putting his back to the window so that he can regard the Archivist full on. There is something there. Something that makes all nine marks on his body burn a little, and not unpleasantly.

"Are you human, Archivist? Are you really?"

And Jon's dislike and distrust of this man grew three sizes that day. He bristles where he's sitting when the other man questions him. All those eyes. That smug and knowing look. The fact that Lucien doesn't seem bothered by the idea that he's going to be fetishized.

"What are you, really?" There's power behind that question, the sort that claws at the mind and demands truth. For a moment, the Archivist's eyes are covered in a sickly green sheen as he turns them sharply on Lucien.

Edited 2022-01-11 16:52 (UTC)

Lucien meets the Archivist's gaze, unflinching as the man's eyes change before him. Human indeed. His own eyes grow more intent, focused, and his smirk becomes a wicked twist. He can feel the will behind the question and that... That is interesting.

"I see you peekin." There is a strange quality to his voice then, almost as if it is inside Jon's mind as well as being spoken out loud. An echo. The eyes on his neck and hand seem more vivid, just short of glowing. His amusement doesn't waver. "You couldn't just ask like a polite fellow, could you?"

He leans forward, away from the window and into the no-man's-land between them.

"I might have answered if you did."

Edited 2022-01-11 18:38 (UTC)

The Archivist, in turn, leans away to maintain the space. He doesn't like this. The echo in his mind is uncanny, disturbing, and he stops trying to Know in Lucien's direction as best he can immediately. "Answering a question isn't same as telling someone the truth." He's played this game before, thank you. Far too many times.

But he's also aware that this tiefling is far more dangerous than Jester had been. He'd been able to slip into her mind easily, unintentionally. This had had focus and intent behind it and still couldn't pull anything out. Granted, Jon had only put a little effort into it. If he tried harder?

That might not be appropriate for the train with this many people around, depending on how the other man reacts.

He feels the pressure stop. As it does, Lucien relaxes back against the window once more.

"And why would you think I'd lie to you if you asked? You don't know me, I can be very agreeable." The tiefling keeps his eyes on the Archivist's face as his tail coils loosely around the other man's leg. "Rude to think I've kept anything from you so far, Archivist."

The final word comes out with a hiss. Intrigued as he is, there is an edge of annoyance there. He's on the back foot, feeling rattled and slightly disconnected. Obviously not completely severed, though, if he could protect himself from the likes of that. It drives questions, though. So many questions.

"I don't think you'd like it if I tried prying into you."

There's not enough room to really shake Lucien off, but Jon glares pointedly down at his tail. "Stop that." The order is quiet, but has as much steel as he can muster behind it as Jon attempts to channel Daphne at her most commanding.

"I don't like you." Might as well make that abundantly clear. "I have a tendency not to trust people I don't like."

He leaves his tail right where it is for a few seconds more before it lets the Archivist's leg go. For all that he might want to make a point, Lucien is exceedingly aware of his new social position.

"Well that seems terribly arbitrary," he answers. "I've done nothing but introduce myself. You, meanwhile, seemed keen on violating the sanctity of my mind."

It's incredibly arbitrary, and Jon's aware of it. His paranoia--those eyes--isn't helping anything. Nor is the fact that the man had seemed to effortlessly shrug off his mental assault. It hadn't been a full salvo, but most ordinary people shouldn't be able to do that. Lucien mentions 'violation,' though, and Jon shifts, looking off to the side as discomfort and some guilt wash over him.

"I just asked a question," Jon mutters.

"In my experience, there's a difference between asking a question and doing so with a knife to someone's throat," he drawls, taking in the guilt that seems to be welling up. Good. A smack on the nose for an unruly dog that clearly doesn't know not to jump on strangers.

His gaze doesn't waver even as the Archivist looks away.

"Would you like to try again? Have a civil conversation instead of whatever that was?"

The degree of condescension is grating. Jon's hand curl into fists in his lap and his jaw tightens for a moment. Control. Be in control. He might be guilty, but clearly nothing bad has happened to the other man. Jon's attempt at compelling him hadn't even worked. So it's... fine.

It's not really fine.

"Don't talk to me like that." The words are snapped, and he's tempted to point out that he's the Dom here, but that's... leaning into a system he hates. So, instead, he just continues on. "You're not an ordinary tiefling. What sort of magic do you possess?"

"Are you very familiar with tieflings? I've come to understand we aren't exactly common here, and if that is so, how would you know what an ordinary one is?"

Lucien thinks that's a reasonable opening question. He's very tempted to try some of his own tricks on this Archivist, but now is not the time. He wants to know more.

"As far as I know, most tieflings can do a bit of magic. Something about the infernal bloodline." He cocks his head. "You're not an ordinary human. What did you just try to do?"

It's something of a guess. He knows humans who can do and have done unusual and impressive things, but that didn't taste like anything arcane.

"...Yes." Absolutely not. Jon adjusts his glasses as he glances away. "Of course, I am.

"In any case, what I tried to do should have worked if you were common. What, precisely, is your infernal lineage?"

"You want a family tree? I'm afraid I can't provide one. Being born in squalor makes that difficult to track."

He leans his head in his hand, elbow propped against the back of the seat.

"But you aren't born of human parents looking like this without some kind of residual bloodline." Lucien pauses and taps his chin. "I suppose my father could've been a tiefling himself. I could never learn if she called him a devil for that reason or because he disappeared before I came mewling into the world."

If the Archivist wants information after that display, Lucien sees no reason to make it comfortable.

The guilt twists at him again. There's no way to verify any of what the other man is saying, but if that's true, that's... wretched. Not to mention, he's just been cast back into squalor from wherever he might have climbed thanks to that stripe down his neck. Jon shifts again, picking at some fuzz on his trousers as they talk.

"I just meant... magic-wise. What can you do, magically. You must have some sort of specialty."

That's satisfying, at least. Lucien stays as he is, practically lounging.

"It's not the sort of thing I'd discuss like this," he answers, offering some mercy and a gesture around them. "But I have specialized over the years. Practical steps for a career."

All true, even if what he's thinking of feels like a lifetime ago. His tail flicks.

"And what about you then? If you're an ordinary human then I'm a saint."

"I have... abilities that assist in my own career. That's all." That's not even in the neighborhood of all, but the tiefling is getting under his skin. That continued casual air is unnerving.

"Why are you covered in eyes?"

"Is that all?" There is something just this side of mockery there, not quite a jab. Lucien rolls his eyes and absently brushes his fingers along the curve of a horn. They are adorned with metal caps.

"I like the look of them," he drawls. "Why, interested in having a peek?"

Jon glowers in Lucien's direction without actually meeting his eye. "You don't cover yourself in eyes just because you like the way they look. What do they mean? I'm interested in that."

"I knew a person covered in dragon scale tattoos," he shoots back, amused in the face of the Archivist's glowering. "With enough dedication, one might endure anything for aesthetic."

Lucien is debating his next steps here. He is deeply intrigued by this man, he wants to understand what it is the Archivist just tried to do to him, wants to know where it comes from, wants to know more about the man wielding that power (even if he is a sulky thing).

It may require making an offering of his own. Lucien shifts his position, running the fingers on his left hand over the palm of the right - revealing the red eye that is there, as well. One on each side of his right hand, one on his neck. That's three that are visible.

Hm.

"I found a book," he says, almost absently. "And I looked at it. It looked back."

Edited 2022-01-13 05:13 (UTC)

"That's a stupid aesthetic." And a painful one by Jon's reckoning. But he halts his judgment there as it seems the tiefling is going to actually give him something more. A book has him flicking his eyes up, expression shifting to momentary alarm before he reins it in and just watches the other man with frown.

"What was it called? The book. Did it have any sort of nameplate on it?" It's foolish to think a Leitner might show up in a whole different world, but... stranger things have happened.

All Aboard

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cw: attempted mind-control

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