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

You'd be surprised what I'd believe. Or, what anyone here would or wouldn't believe.

( But, Dean cants his head, inviting Steve back behind the bar with him. )

You want the tour?

[ a fair answer since, really, he doesn't know dean all that well yet, but he nods. he'll get into the details of his age a little later. ]

Sure. You can fill me in on what else you need me to do as we go. [ he follows dean. ] This the kind of work you did back home?

Not even close.

( After making sure nobody needs a drink, Dean walks Steve through the two wells, the different glasses, what each fridge contains, and then leads him to the back.

He points to wear the backstock of bottles are kept in the walk-in, and the bottles in dry storage. Where the fruit is kept that needs to be cut when they need it. The basics )

But, if you have any questions, I need something I'll make it clear.

Seems pretty straightforward.

[ not difficult but a lot of small things. attention to detail. it's something that gives him appreciation for people that work normal jobs, that do this every day on repeat. something he's thought about for a long time and not quite the same as being a symbol for the world. pressure but in a different way. ]

Tell me what you need me to start with, and I'll go from there.

[ by the time he's done, there won't be much of anything for either of them to do. ]

Just start on two tubs of ice in the main well and we'll go from there. I cut the ice for tonight before the shift started.

( It's night one and he's doing him a favor, but, as he points out, he'll take this seriously. )

When that bus tub's full, you can take it back to the kitchen and watch the glasses, bring em black clean.

( For now that... is it.

On the way back, Qi'ra gets his attention and he leaves Steve to the ice. When Steve returns with the two tubs, Dean has some information for him. )

Qi'ra saw you're helping tonight. Along with a tip-out, you'll be paid an hourly wage. Welcome to Crimson.

( Even for the night. Go Steve! )

[ simple enough, like he said. steve gives dean a nod and works his way through the tasks, not really too bothered by the weight of the tubs as he carries them. he feels as if he's barely gotten started, but considering what he does on a normal basis, it's not really that much of a stretch.

he balances the tubs with an arm as he looks at dean. ]

I wasn't expecting to be paid, but thanks. You'll pass that on for me?

[ he'll probably use it to pay dean back for letting him stay somehow. ]

Anything else you need? [ and he barely manages to keep himself from adding on 'boss' to the end of that, amused. ]

( It won't be expected, or accepted, but he nods. )

Sure, I'll pass it on.

( He won't try hard, though. Sure, he'll say Steve wasn't expecting anything, but Qi'ra will leave the option open and Dean won't stop it. )

Sit tight, cadet.

( Well, that just comes easily. He smirks at that. )

I do have to hit the head, how do you feel about pouring a beer if someone asks for one.

Think I can manage that.

[ which is a little funny considering, but steve isn't going to shy away from doing a little more work or helping dean out. it doesn't seem terribly busy as it is, and he can figure out what needs to be done if someone orders a drink.

which they do. which he provides with surprisingly little difficulty.

by the time dean returns, steve's been pulled into a political conversation about the lack of submissive officials. something about trials? he's not sure, and anyway, the system is hardly fair to begin with. but he's listening, as he tends to do, and that gives him an idea when he finally steps away. ]

They might need another soon. [ he nods at a customer on the opposite end of the bar. ] You know anyone who runs any kind of counseling groups here?

( Dean listens, ready to step in if he needs to. The natives are political and mouthy, but Steve doesn't ruffle too many feathers. )

Counseling? ( He shakes his head. ) But, I'm new and I've been to exactly one counselor. I'd ask the network.

[ which makes sense. still, never hurts to ask. ]

I took up doing that after a friend couldn't do it anymore. Figured it might be something people here could use too. [ there's the slightest (and faintest) gesture at the conversation he'd stepped away from. ] Cultural shock can be pretty hard.

[ he's been through it so many times, he's an expert now. ]

Yeah. Been through it a few times, now. It desensitizes you. You were a counselor?

( So, he could use a counselor, but admitting that to himself is the barest of step ones. )

[ steve rests a hand on the bartop. ]

Not a very good one, but I tried to do what I could. I was more of a soldier. [ there's the briefest pause, wondering and deciding that it's almost like a shot in the dark at this point. ] You ever heard of the Avengers?

( He can't hide the smile, but, he's done this before in a Scooby Doo cartoon and with half of this city. He lets the recognition "wash" over him. )

Steve Rogers.

[ it's honestly not that unusual for him. he'd had fans since before he'd gone into the ice, and it had never stopped there. ]

So I take it you have.

Yeah. The Avengers are known.

( He -- keeps back that it's across universes. Being fictional himself in one parallel world gives him some perspective. And why he doesn't say shit. )

I was playing it cool. Captain America refilled my ice.

[ the concept of multiple universes isn't insane to him, but it's still not that easy an idea to swallow. especially not after the last few years he's lived through. ]

I appreciate the thought, but it's okay. I'm used to it. [ there's a soft exhale. ] Or was. Things are a little different back home now.

Yeah, a lot of that is going around. If you want to talk about it, I don't have counseling experience, but being a bartender's the next best thing.

( It's not, it's not even close, but he will listen to Steve Rogers and give the best advice he can. )

[ it's a nice offer, but he's spent a long time trying to sort out his feelings about the present day. ]

Thanks. It's probably a better conversation to have when we're both not working, but — [ keeping it light, of course. ] Things are a lot different now than they were in the 40's – I can tell you that much.

They are. But, you acclimate. Readjust.

( So, he's from - early MCU timeline, he figures. Interesting. Dean's not one of the MCU diehards, but you can't miss the big Blockbusters, even from word of mouth )

Culture shock shocks you and then eventually, you're not shocked anymore.

[ not even close, dean, but steve can't correct what he doesn't know. ]

I know. Trust me. [ how long has it been since he woke up? over a decade? ] I had plenty of time to adjust before the world changed again.

[ with just a snap. steve frowns at the thought. ]

Now I'm here.

( he can't. but, dean's gonna dean. he might pick up on what's really happening. if steve opens up, he'll listen. but, he's also right, they're working.

world changed again is a different indicator. this could be mid endgame. or even infinity war. hmm. )

Life ( God himself ) does that to me, too. It's always when I find my footing. The game changes again.

[ steve looks at him for a moment, considering. then, gently, he reaches out to rest a hand on dean's shoulder. ]

I think it does that to all of us. All we can do is keep moving forward and hope for the best. [ he gives that shoulder a squeeze. ] Be right back.

[ because, you know, the customer down at the end wants another drink. so he moves away to do that. ]

( Dean finds Steve's eyes when he makes physical contact expecting whatever it is he has to say of grounding him right there to that spot. He is painfully aware of his mortality, having died, but it's harder to keep everything in perspective.

Well, he couldn't have said it better himself. Dean watches as Steve serves the customer, actually works the touch screen. Dean's a good, if rushed, teacher. He smirks to himself.

He also fires a quick text off to Castiel about Captain America bartending with him. There are explanation points and he knows this will go over Cas' head but he needs to tell SOMEONE!

Back to Earth, now, literally, he drops his phone to his side and addresses another customer. This drink is more complicated, one of the shaken drinks, so he starts on it, giving a quick glance to Steve to make sure he's all good. ) )

[ he's not that old, please. but it's nice to be able to do something normal for a while, even if that normalcy will be quick to fade once the night ends.

working next to dean is surprisingly easy, calm. he's good to talk to, reminds him a little of natasha and a whole lot of sam. wonders what kind of music he likes and makes a point to ask, which also reminds him that he's going to have to start keeping a list of things in duplicity—either to try or avoid. and steve does more heavy-lifting along the way, grateful to be busy and keep his mind off things. his sleep schedule has always been unusual, so he's hardly tired by the time closing rolls around. ]

Got anything else you need me to do?

[ he can only wipe down the counter so many times, after all. ]

( classic rock not including 80's hair metal. foreigner, bon jovi, blue oyster cult, metallica, and all of the usual suspects you'd assume for him. add in some classic bob seger and the curve ball of Taylor Swift (she's a genius, and if it weren't for one time he was turned back into a teenager he would've never discovered her, yeah his life). Things to avoid, well. Most music is similar but not what Steve will remember. Most TV and film is pornographic. Like, Groundhog's Pussy Day and movies like that, like the music they're familiar but graphic.

To try, Dean recommends getting a lay of the land, especially when you need to get back somewhere in time.

It's good to have a second back there. He went a week or two with just him, but there's a different rhythm and a camaraderie that fills familiar in the deeper recesses of his mind.

Mid-cutting fruit for the next shift, he glances around them. )

Looks like we're pretty stocked for tomorrow and the rush tapered off. I'd say hold off. You want to keep taking orders and flex those bartender muscles, have at it.

( He shows him the best technique for shaking a cocktail, and for shaking two at once (knocking the pair ontop of one another to secure them before shaking). he reminds him it's easy to know what's pouring what because all the drinks look different.

pouring from the tap is easy except when one of the kegs empties so Dean shows Steve how to switch out a keg completely. )

Once a week, we clear out the lines and flush em with hot water. But, that's usually in the beginning of a shift. Mondays. ( Dean's impressed, though. ) Don't know what you're looking to do here but once you get your sea legs, you should think about coming back. Qi'ra pays her Subs well and, tonight's been fun.

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your steve, though!

🙈 i'm loving this so much

me too! i was like, ok so dean's meeting captain america. no big, tho. !!

just wait until he stays over with the shield in tow lmao

dean will keel over.

as long as he doesn't faint

nah, he doesn't have to worry. long as steve doesn't outright flirt. dean can be... spazzy.