TDM #25

[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 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

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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.

« « « SUMMER SPECIAL

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(cw: aphro/drugs) LIEs has once again partnered with a local coffee chain, Peek-A-Brew, to promote their summer menu and help play matchmaker among those in the program. Along with the usual goodie bag, each character will be handed a small slip of paper after Orientation with a date and time, location, and three fun facts about a mystery partner they're to meet for a coffee date. These "facts" may or may not actually be true — they're simply meant to spark conversation. For the duration of the 1-2 hours the pairs are expected to spend getting to know one another, they will receive unlimited free iced coffee, tea, and lemonade and a discount on any other menu items. Seasonal specials include fruity parfaits and popsicles in a variety of refreshing flavors. Naturally, all goods are spiked to make the consumers more agreeable, more truthful, and perhaps a bit more handsy than normal. Though the meetings are not mandatory, contact with the paper brings on an inexplicable sense of curiosity about meeting their partner and discovering who they really are.

« « « BEAT THE HEAT

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(cw: aphro, temporary body changes) With summer heat building, the natives are looking for a reprieve from the sweltering weather. All manner of frozen treats are being sold and consumed and it's not uncommon to see Submissives fanning their Dominants as they walk down the street or ride the train. Sprinkler systems are running day and night in North Park and other city-owned patches of green and plenty of people are taking the opportunity to run and jump through the spray with little care for soaked clothing — or perhaps they aren't wearing clothing at all. Others have taken up squirting one another, as well as whoever is passing by, with water guns or hurling water balloons at anyone who looks like they need to cool down. Especially on the streets near the park, it's a wet and wild battle royale and all are welcome to join in. Getting hit with some of those colorful water balloons and squirt guns temporarily causes those who get splashed to taste like sweet, mouth-watering summer fruits. It's not just their skin either — the effect extends to their sweat, saliva, and even sexual fluids and can last for several hours. Those around them will find it hard to resist having a taste.

« « « HANG ON TO YOUR HATS

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(cw: violence, public nudity/exposure) If you're out on the streets of the Down, it's not just your wallet you have to worry about losing. It seems that one of the local gangs, the Bulldogs, has set a new test for their junior members and those hoping to join: steal an article of clothing right off the body of someone in a public place. From snatching the hat off their head to slicing the shirt off their back, it's anything goes! These junior initiates quickly get competitive, one-upping each other on who can complete the task in the most ballsy or outrageous manner. Some compete over who can collect the most clothing, either certain articles or overall, or who can score a full set first. As word spreads and more people are going around suddenly missing part of their outfits, the Sparrows, a rival gang, decide to get in on the action purely for bragging rights. Rather than taking the clothing by force, they pride themselves on using stealth and trickery, leaving more than a few people naked and confused.

« « « 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 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 is more of an optimist, they are a Submissive. If your character is more of a pessimist, they are a Dominant. 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

[old_man]

[Ah, Leonard...]

You working, or...?

[the_real_mccoy]

Oh I'm always workin, but I can wrap things up if ya wanna do somethin? My treat!

[old_man]

You don't need to twist my arm... I can meet you outside the hospital?

[the_real_mccoy]

Sure sure! I'll be right down! Ya got a preference where we go? Lady's choice!

[old_man]

The lady's choice might be a bit outdated or no longer exist. Perhaps we can find a cafe?

[the_real_mccoy]

That works too. There's a good place near Haven I hit a lot when I gotta work late. Got some great choices. Or we can walk around. Whatever ya like!

[old_man]

Or... I can greedily say both?

[the_real_mccoy]

A walk an a meal? Ya think I'd say no ta extra time? It sounds great ta me! Meet me at Haven round dinner time?

[old_man]

I'll see you then.

[And she might be there a little early, waiting outside, but it's not like Dax has lots to do at the moment. Explore and get the lay of the land again, so to speak, but she doesn't need to do that right away.]

[the_real_mccoy]

[He came out and found her quickly, making his way over without any hesitation. McCoy was blushing a little as he opened his arms, hoping her love of hugs hadn't changed.]


Dax! I'm so glad ta see ya!

[old_man]

[There is that feeling of being out of time and out of space. A blink of an eye, and months had seemingly passed without her knowledge. Her grin is wide as she sees him and she the pushes herself off the wall she's been leaning on and engulfs him in a hug in return.]

And I you.

[the_real_mccoy]

[He hugged her tight, burying his face in her shoulder and pulling in a deep breath. Dax still smelled the same. He smiled against her shirt.]


I missed ya, Dax. I missed ya a lot.

[old_man]

[She squeezed a little tighter for a moment, before murmuring.]

How've you been? Keeping out of trouble I hope...

[the_real_mccoy]

[Since Dax didn't seem to want to let go, McCoy held on too, soaking in the contact.]


I'm ok. Same old problems, but I'm brass at Haven now. How silly is that?

[old_man]

[With that information, she leans back a little, each hand cupping a cheek.]

Well look at you, rising in the ranks. Chief? Attending Physician? or... Sir? Fellow? Bit rusty on my non-Federation ranks.

[the_real_mccoy]

[He chuckled and buried his face in her shoulder for a moment before pulling back just enough to meet her eyes.]


More like a glorified file clerk, but yeah. Kyle needed someone ta help who had a good idea how a hospital oughta run, an I did all the runnin back on the ship so . . .


[McCoy gave a slight shrug and a grin.]


He's a sweetheart an I couldn't just leave him in the lurch, ya know? Still hate the paperwork aspect, but it's nothin I ain't dealt with before. An it's nice being essential I guess.

[old_man]

Hey now. Don't sell yourself short.

[As she didn't believe for one moment that it was just that. But she also knew that Leonard wasn't one to walk about, strutting and tooting his own horn.

Her hands slipped back, settling on his shoulders, although not removing herself from the embrace just yet.]

You're a good man.

[the_real_mccoy]

[He flushed and laughed again. God she was so pretty and sweet!]


Aw Dax. I'm just a man who takes carea people. All I ever wanted ta do. Helpin out run the place is more obligation than pleasure, I promise. But I like being needed. An I like Kyle. He's a good man. Don't hurt it makes me look that much better ta the city too. Maybe they'll finally leave me alone a while!

[old_man]

Mmm... So it sounds like you're agreeing with me.

[The small waggle of her eyebrows to accent that point although her smile softens after a moment.]

Just don't bite off more than you can chew.

[She recalls a certain captain friend of theirs drowning in paperwork with the business he got.]

[the_real_mccoy]

Well, it's so rude ta disagree with a lady . . . Ya know, speakin of. If ya had some free time, those booksa Jim's could use a lotta work. Don't suppose ya'd want a job runnin the place?

[old_man]

[It is a hearty laugh that she gives in response to that and a small swat on his shoulder in turn. But it is clear that she is amused by it regardless as that lively light remains in her eyes.]

Lucky for you, I've got plenty of free time. You'll need to vouch for me, unless they've gotten rid of that ridiculous requirement for uncontracted Submissives. If I had to bet, I'd be placing my platinum on no.

[the_real_mccoy]

No, but I don't mind doin that at all. An ya know the business too which just makes ya even more valuable! I mean, if ya willin?


[Because while it would help the both of them, it did feel a little . . . selfish.]

[old_man]

Of course.

[A bit mundane at times, but there had been some interesting stuff as well with it. Not like finding a stable wormhole, but there's not much that can top that.]

Have you been running it by yourself since- since Kirk left?

[Because she will start to mother hen him now for burning the candle at both ends.]

[the_real_mccoy]

[He ducked his head a little and finally let her go, rubbing at his nape. The words both hurt and helped. Having someone push at him to take care of himself was . . . really nice.]


I mean, Pete does the lion's share, but yeah. There's no one else really. Stupid Jim, leavin me all his junk. An Haven takes a lotta work too. I'm really a lot better there. If ya don't mind, I need the help, Dax.

[old_man]

Hey.

[Offering a smile as he lets go.]

Of course I don't mind.

[And she is genuine with that. She's always been more than happy to help her friends out. Plus, it's not something that she dislikes. It should give her enough time to continue to poke about and do other things like she had before.]