duplicitymemes | TDM #24

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TDM #24

« « « 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 LIEs 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 LIEs 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 high-rise. 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 for all new and past arrivals.

Skies are clear and the weather is warm.

» » » 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.

« « « REACTION MECHANISM

(cw: sensory deprivation, coercion, dub-con/non-con)

One of the workshops at this month's Orientation pairs Dominants with Submissives for an exercise in blind chemistry. Literally — they'll all be blindfolded before meeting their partner and the blindfolds must stay on! They will be encouraged to explore with their other senses, such as touch and taste. Kissing is the bare minimum of what's expected, though no one will stop them should they want to take things further…

Each pair will get around 10-15 minutes together (unless they really hit things off) before switching to a new partner.

Some participants may also be tapped for a secondary exercise in which Submissives remain blindfolded, while Dominants are not. Dominants may do as they wish with them and may choose whether to keep their partner or swap blindfolded Subs back and forth with other Dominants.

« « « COMPANY PICNIC

(cw: aphrodisiacs, drugs, altered mental states, public nudity)

With the arrival of good weather and sunny skies ahead in the forecast, LIEs has decided to sponsor a post-Orientation BBQ in North Park. Picnic blankets and picnic tables are set up for use around the park and there is a main food station handing out catered food, as well as a few small charcoal grills available for those who wish to grill themselves. Sausages, burgers, and kebabs (vegetarian options available) are either ready to go or laid out to be cooked, along with stuff to make sandwiches (did someone say PB&J?). All the usual sides and condiments are available as well.

In addition to flavor, many of those condiments contribute a little something extra to one's meal. Does the jelly in that PB&J make you feel a little more jealous than usual? Does that mustard get you all hot and bothered? It just might. Perhaps most nefarious of all is that a few batches of the condiments have truth serum mixed in with them, making people open up about their true wants and desires. See someone you wouldn't mind kissing? Feel like baring it all? Maybe you should tell them — or simply go for it. Inhibitions are lowered and tongues loosened so stuff that hotdog down your throat and get ready for some fun.

There are a few different games being played in the park that LIERs can join in on, such as three-legged and wheelbarrow races with Dominant and Submissive pairs, capture the flag, and something that resembles a raunchier version of Twister.

If games aren't your thing there is also a hot yoga class that is taking place, open to anyone who wishes to join. Some people are fully nude as they pose and stretch while others wear workout gear that seem more scandalous than those who are naked. Of course aside from your traditional yoga poses the instructor encourages Dominants and Submissives to practice what are clearly Kama Sutra positions with one another. Hope you're flexible!

« « « FEELING SUPER

(cw: transformation, body modification, drugs)

There's a lot of buzz surrounding a store from one of Duplicity's sister cities, Insincerity, setting up a temporary pop-up location in Fiddler's Square. The store in question is the Supermarket and they deal in temporary upgrades, enhancements, and all things extraordinary. You can sample what it's like to be super at the Supermarket!

Staffed by enigmatic Insincerity natives, the mini market is open to Dominants and Submissives alike. In order to entice buyers to visit their home location, the wares on offer make up a limited selection of their full stock — a carefully curated selection of the Supermarket's best-selling products and seasonal specials. The staff won't elaborate too much, but there are rumors that something big is happening soon in Insincerity. This month they've come to you; next month you may be coming to them.

Products fall into three broad categories: power-ups, transformation/body modification, and sexual enhancers. The most common form they come in is a colorful glowing syringe, but potions, pills, and topical creams are available on request. The menu is as follows:

Something Super:

Invisibility

Super Strength (2-3X average human)

Fire/Ice/Electric Touch

Transform:

Wild Side (grow animal ears and/or tail)

Tongue Twister (tongue lengthens and becomes fully prehensile)

Flutter (sprout wings; limited flight capabilities only, more like hovering)

Enhance:

Shiver (increased sensitivity)

All Night Long (enhanced stamina)

Multi-O (frequent, cascading orgasms)

Effects can be mixed and matched with the application of multiple products — though the Supermarket employees caution that buyers do so at their own risk — and may last up to one full day.

« « « 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 the assignments are OOCly 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 prefers jelly, they are a Dominant. If your character prefers peanut butter, 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

Thank you kindly.

_{[He takes the plate gingerly with a small bow of his head, honestly pretty excited to try the sandwich. It looks pretty great and he made it so effortlessly!]}

I have never prepared one of these before. _{[Probably because he basically lives off candied apples...]} Will you make one for yourself?

_{[Probably a stupid question. Yeah. He kind of regrets it.]}

Ah, but of course you would...

[Such a polite man! G'raha is practically beaming, pleased with the reaction for being given a simple sandwich. Though he is a bit taken aback that the man has apparently never made one before.]

They're really quite simple to make. If you find yourself enjoying one, I'd recommend it. [It's not said with any judgement, of course; just sincerity. And then his stomach growls.]

Ah- Yes, I'd almost forgotten. [He's never been very good at looking after himself.] Is one enough? I'd be more than happy to make another. Oh, but perhaps you'd want to try it first, and see if you like it.

_{[What is looking after yourself? What is self care? Hermes doesn't know. Outside of his work he's a disaster, not that G'raha needs to know just how much of one he is just yet. Nodding he takes up one of the halves of the sandwich in hand, giving it a bite. After a few thoughtful chews the corners of his lips pull upward - the beginnings of a smile.]}

It tastes quite delicious, I do have to say. If it isn't too greedy of me, I could eat another. Ah, but you ought to make one for yourself first.

_{[He heard that stomach growl okay.]}

[Perhaps that's something they might have in common; neither of them are good at self-care, but G'raha does at least have a knack for looking out for others. He finishes fixing his own sandwich and takes a bite, stealing a glance in time to see the smile on Hermes' face... at least, he thinks that's a smile. The corners of his mouth are definitely doing something, and he doesn't think it's a frown.]

Here, it's no problem to make another. In fact, I might teach you- [Oh, or is that too presumptuous? There are odd rules around here, and G'raha doesn't want to overstep and get into trouble of some sort. He still doesn't really know anyone here.]

Well, let me just make you another.

_{[Hermes seems to light up at the suggestion. He is, after all, a lover of learning new things, regardless of what said new thing may be. He quells his curiosity however when G'raha decides to make him another in the end. It's probably for the best, considering the rules of this place...but still.]}

Perhaps, if it isn't too much of an imposition on you, you could show me some other time?

[An imposition? Oh, never! G'raha is always keen to teach people new things, and to learn them himself. And if he makes a new friend in this place, all the better. He's still getting his feet under him, and it's rather lonely not knowing anyone, not to mention... well. It seems like there are a lot of ways he might run into trouble, so having an ally is always a good thing.]

Of course! I'd be more than happy to. There are all sorts of things you can put on a sandwich, it's quite handy.

[Pleased, G'raha takes another bite of his own. Differents types of jams and jellies... fruit preserves, vegetables, meats. The possibilities are truly endless.]

_{[Being lonely is definitely a feeling that Hermes could do without and yet it's pervasive and constant. It was a blessing he arrived with others he knew to support him and even then things had been difficult to come to terms with. He can only imagine how difficult it would be for someone who was alone in this place.

Making friends is hard and Hermes isn't exactly good at it...but this boy with curious ears and a tail is quite friendly and that's exactly the sort of energy he needs right now.]}

Thank you, I do appreciate it. _{[He smiles, this time the pull on his lips far more obvious.]} I will admit before arriving here I was used to creating all of my food via magicks, not having to actually prepare it...

_{[And even then most of what he ate was apples in various forms...]}

[Creating food via magicks does sound quite convenient! G'raha meets Hermes' smile, honestly quite relieved to have found someone pleasant at this picnic.]

I've grown quite fond of trying new foods myself. In the past, my everyday fare was... rather bland.

[He's been introduced to so many new things since then, enough that he can hardly remember all of them.]

Ah... speaking of arriving here. [That reminds him. G'raha is rather new to this whole place, to the idea of Submissives and Dominants, and finds himself a bit... overwhelmed, to say the least. He knows there is a long, long list of things he shouldn't do, things he can't do, and the a list of things he's meant to do that seems rather dubious, to say the least. But here, he's found someone who might be able to discuss it with him.]

Have you found it difficult to adjust to?

_{[He gives him a small nod before taking another bite of his sandwich, making sure to swallow before answering. Last thing Hermes wants to do is be rude!]}

I will admit I have found it difficult...I do not enjoy seeing how others are treated here, simply due to a brand they have on their throats.

_{[Why had he been selected to be unmarked over others? There was no rhyme or reason to it that he could find.]}

Unfortunately the two individuals I am familiar with in this place are a bonded pair so I have yet to find anyone to contract with. I simply hope I may find someone who I can be of help to.

_{[He feels kind of pathetic admitting that, his gaze averting briefly. ]}

Those matters aside...I have found this place to be quite difficult in other ways. The star I come from is a land far more magically inclined. There are many things I am unfamiliar with.

[G'raha can relate; he lifts a hand, absently touching the mark on his neck. He doesn't really understand how he was selected for this, nor does he understand the myriad of rules he's now bound by, but it seems there isn't any way to remove it. The most he can do is adapt.

He nods politely as Hermes talks, until his ears prick up at the last bit.]

Ah, I come from a similar place. There doesn't seem to be much magic here, but they do seem technologically advanced.

[That is a part G'raha enjoys; he's tried to find what he can do to study, but there are so many things he's limited on because of this mark. And speaking of...]

I have yet to find a contract as well. I've only just arrived, and have yet to find anyone I'm familiar with, or anyone I would trust enough.

[G'raha is a rather trusting man, but even he knows that he shouldn't simply throw his lot in with anyone, particularly when this sort of thing is involved. Yet, on the other hand, without a proper contract, he isn't allowed to do most thing. It's really quite inconvenient.]

I understand.

_{[Hermes may be naïve in many ways but even he knows well enough not to jump right into a contract of any sort with someone he doesn't know the bare minimum about. The only struggle is, of course, that he isn't exactly the most social of people either. He stares quietly at his sandwich for a moment.]}

It's hard, meeting others.

_{[Finishing off the sandwich he sets his plate down for whenever G'raha is finished with the next.]}

Since we are both without if it isn't too presumptuous of me perhaps we can get to know one another. My name is Hermes and if I may be of any assistance to you, I would be glad to offer it.

[Perhaps it is a bit hard meeting others. G'raha is friendly--perhaps more than most--but he's seen as eccentric, and thus in the past has often found himself alone. His dedication to his studies, his penchant for talking too much in technical terms most wouldn't want to pay attention to... He can relate a bit. Perhaps not exactly the same as Hermes, who seems far quieter and more reserved.

Which is why, to G'raha's surprise, Hermes suggests they get to know each other, that they might be able to help one another out. And G'raha certainly could use an ally in this place--a friend, even--where it seems the system is designed to punish those who don't conform to the rules.]

I would like that very much, I think. You seem quite pleasant, and I'd be more than happy to offer any of my own assistance... though I cannot say it seems worth much here. Ah- [His name!] My name is G'raha.

I try to be. _{[Pleasant that is.]} It is a pleasure to meet you, G'raha. _{[His smile softens, albeit somewhat sadly as he thinks about the other man's comment. Even though Hermes was quite lacking in the self worth department himself, it didn't mean that he liked hearing others put themselves down.]}

I am sure you have much to offer. Every being has their own set of strengths and weaknesses that make them unique.

[G'raha's smile softens, and he nods his head. Quite right; he's of the same opinion. It's just much easier to believe that about others than to keep it in mind for himself.]

You're right, of course. Having lived alongside such great companions, I often end up considering myself hardly anything special... But! That's hardly relevant. [It's not that G'raha considers himself entirely useless; he simply doesn't think he can compare to people who have had history books written about them.]

It is hard to compare one's accomplishments to those who excel so magnificently. _{[Hermes gets it. Oh man does he get it.]} I am much the same toward myself.

_{[Gingerly holding his plate with the second sandwich that had been made for him, Hermes decides to push out of his comfort zone. What's the worst that could happen if he invited G'raha along to sit with him?]}

If you are not tasked to make more sandwiches, would you care to join me under one of the trees?

[Oh? Is he being invited to sit? G’raha’s tail makes it clear that he’s pleased with the idea, even if his smile hadn’t given it away.]

I think that sounds very pleasant. Thank you for the offer.

[He’d really only stayed by the sandwiches for lack of anything else to do, and now that he has eaten, G’raha is more than happy to join his new acquaintance—-perhaps friend?—-under the trees.]

_{[It would be nice if they could become friends, Hermes thinks, but he's not one to get ahead of himself. The number of friends he actually has he can count on one hand, Hythlodaeus being the main one. Hermes was a loner by design but that didn't necessarily mean he enjoyed being alone. He's happy then, that G'raha accepts his offer to join him - what a relief.]}

Let us sit beneath that tree over there. There seems to be no one else.

[G'raha, on the other hand, makes friends quite easily, and so he already considers Hermes a 'friend'. Perhaps not in the ride or die sort of way, but he's a pleasant man, they seem to get along well together, and... G'raha doesn't really have anyone else in this place. Not that wouldn't consider Hermes a friend even if he did!]

I must admit, the atmosphere here is... rather difficult to get used to.

[Standing up, G'raha dusts off his pants--rather threadbare, basic things, because here, he's doesn't have nice clothes unless he can afford them himself, and he's not allowed a job without the permission of a Dominant. It's all very frustrating, to be honest.]

It is. I will admit I still am quite unused to much of what this city deems normal.

_{[Most of it is anything but normal as far as Hermes is concerned...but different cultures had different priorities. It's just how things were. As soon as G'raha is upright Hermes leads them to one of the picnic blankets that's set out, sitting down cross legged, sandwich plate balanced on one of his knees. He's so long limbed that he can't help but feel a little awkward - hopefully he wasn't taking up too much room.]}

Would you tell me about your world? I would like to hear about it. Ah, and of course I am more than happy to tell you about my own.

_{[Y'know. If he wants to hear it.]}

[G'raha has been many, many places by now, across countries and even worlds, but this is something he's never encountered. He wonders why he's here--him, of all people!--but at the end of the day, simply wondering doesn't solve problems, and it's difficult for him to access much advanced information. Most of it is curiosity, but he'd also like to further study the laws and customs, the history, and-

Oh, he's gotten distracted.

Tucking his tail behind him, G'raha joins Hermes on the picnic blanket. Honestly, he's a bit jealous of those long limbs; they certainly would have served him in the past.]

I would love nothing more than to exchange information about where we're from! Let's see... The difficult part is thinking of where to begin. [And a lot of it is quite complicated.] I suppose compared to this place, we are far more in-tune with nature. Our cities are widely dispersed, and each boasts its own unique culture.

[He might ramble forever if left unchecked.]

_{[G'raha isn't the only one who could ramble on forever if left unchecked. Hermes is equally guilty of doing just that numerous times over topics that interest him. Right now though he's eager to listen to everything G'raha has to tell him about his world - about the cities, the cultures and its people. It sounds like a vibrant, unique place. A place Hermes would very much like to hear more about.

Taking a bite of his sandwich he encourages G'raha to indulge him further.]}

Please, do continue. How do people travel within your world? What of magicks? Do you have a favourite place?

[Perhaps someday, they would ramble on and on at each other. G'raha is just as content to listen as he is to talk; the new things he learns are fascinating, and he only hopes he can recount all of them to his friends back in his own world. He'll return, he's sure of it! He just... has to figure this one out first.

Hermes' interest is encouraging, certainly.]

There are a vast amount of ways to travel--by air, by sea, by chocoback. Ah, that's a sort of... well, it's a rather large bird. By far the easiest is aetheryte travel, which provides near-instant teleportation. It's really quite convenient. I cannot tell you the amount of times it has saved me from getting lost in the more complex cities.

[As for his favorite place...]

I've been so many places, it's hard to name a favorite. I suppose... the city where I was largely raised, and where I studied. It's always pleasant to return home.

_{[Hermes listens diligently, eager to learn more about his company's world. Knowledge is something he always craved, especially about places far beyond his time and space itself. How interesting would it have been, if one of the Meteia had touched down upon G'raha's world? Mentions of a large bird certainly have him getting excited, as does the word 'aetheryte' strike a cord with him. Could this mean that G'raha's word was one of aether as well?

He doesn't ask right away though, letting him finish, finding his excitement somewhat dimmed at mention of how pleasant it is to return home. Even if he had the opportunity to return to Elpis...it would cease to exist eventually. Ah, but he shouldn't focus on that. The last thing he needs to be is dour before a new acquaintance.]}

This aetheryte travel sounds familiar to me...would it be wrong to assume that your world is one that possesses aether?

_{[In fact...if he actually takes a moment to look at G'raha he's certainly made of aether - but it's less dense and his soul is...well. Well it's something unusual, that's for sure.]}

[G'raha's expression goes from one of surprise to one of excitement he fails to hide, finding a similarity between their worlds. He has felt rather lost here, so any sort of connection is one he wants to cling to, leaning a little closer as they speak.]

Why, yes! Aether is one of the most important components of the world I come from. Yours as well?

[That they should even call it the same thing! How fascinating. Perhaps there's a reason they have gravitated towards each other.]

It is, yes!

_{[Ah. This is exciting. He puts down his plate with his half eaten sandwich to the side of himself, fully focused on the man across from him.]}

Aether and its form or flow is what dictates most of creation. It isn't the only force of energy to be utilized but it is the most well known and abundant source. Dynamis is another type of energy but most of my people know not of its existence, let alone how to utilize it.

_{[Except Hermes of course.]}

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