duplicitymemes | TDM #32

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TDM #32

« « « 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.

Submissives are provided with a plain black pleather collar to wear and Dominants are given bracelets made of the same black pleather. The simple design is an immediate visual indicator that they have not yet signed a contract and they will be informed that more elaborate or personalized styles are a privilege reserved for those who do.

Enjoy your free time until Orientation! Participation is mandatory for all new and past arrivals.

The weather is cooling as summer turns to autumn and the sky is overcast more often than not.

» » » ALL ABOARD

(cw: optional pony play elements)

The usual train tour after Orientation showcasing important city landmarks has been canceled and replaced with a walking tour, at least for the half of the tour that winds through the Up. Not only that, but Submissives will be required to carry Dominants the whole way, either on their own backs or in sedan chairs or litters.* It's a visceral lesson in accepting and understanding their role, whether that's to direct or serve, guide or support. (*Accessories such as harnesses and tail plugs may be provided for some Submissives either at a Dominant's request or the whim of LIEs staff.)

This portion of the tour will conclude at the train station that connects to the Down, where LIERs will finally be allowed to board the train and take a rest as they continue onward to the less impressive sights of Red Wall Bridge and South Park. Seats are in pairs and randomly assigned to Dominants and Submissives alike. 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.

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.

« « « THINK OF YOUR FUTURE

(cw: aphrodisiacs, dub-con, random kink compulsion)

As they're walking down the street, characters may spot some fliers for job skill classes or even be pulled aside and invited to attend one by an earnest spokesperson. These classes are advertised as equipping characters with "useful" skills that will either improve their quality of life or help them find stable employment. Whether that's actually true is questionable. The address they'll be directed to is a random building in the Down that seems to be a repurposed storefront. There are three subjects being offered currently.

At bartending class, characters will be provided with a variety of liquors, mixers, shakers, glasses, and garnishes. A few simple drink recipes are written on a chalkboard to give them a starting point, but they are also encouraged to play around, mix and match and create their own concoctions, and taste test each other's as well. Some of the drink components contain aphrodisiacs, ranging from a basic arousal booster to more targeted tinctures that stimulate desires for specific activities. These effects can stack and combine or even conflict. Drink responsibly (or don't)!

The hospitality class is geared toward setting a mood or scene and seems to mainly involve things like lighting candles and incense, running a bath with scented oils, bubbles, and foaming salts, and spreading rose petals artfully over a freshly turned down bed. Once everything is in place, they'll be urged to try it for themselves — get in that bath, roll around on that bed or have someone tuck them in. How else will they know if they've done a good job? And if they're feeling frisky from the fumes or the bath products, it just makes for a better test.

The third class is flower arranging and characters are given vases, shears for trimming, and a selection of flower cuttings of different sizes, colors, and species. They're instructed to follow their intuition and use whichever flowers they like to create a well-balanced arrangement. The thing is, some of these flowers have pollen with aphrodisiac effects. Other flowers have petals that, when handled with bare hands, secrete an aphrodisiac that's absorbed through the skin. Like the drinks, these effects range from the generic to the specific and can combine in complementary or conflicting ways. Think you're arranging a bouquet that symbolizes pure friendship or everlasting love? It might actually inspire a latex-wearing tickle orgy.

In each of the classes there are people discreetly taking video and photographs. If they ask about it, characters will be told that the footage is for promotional materials.

» » » MOTHS TO THE FLAME

(cw: altered mental states and changes in perception, compulsion)

The light in the old lighthouse at the north end of Chicanery Beach must never go out, so the locals say, but the fuel that keeps the fire burning hasn't been replenished properly in a while. As usual, Duplicity natives are hesitant to go near the beach, but this important maintenance is still deemed essential. The solution, at least this time around, seems to be putting the latest batch of LIERs (as well as any others foolish enough to volunteer or unlucky enough to be recruited) up to the task of visiting the lighthouse in teams or pairs to feed the flames.

Working in shifts and armed with canisters of fuel, the lamp is to be filled every evening and the fresnel lens carefully polished. It's a simple enough task. However, some of the fuel has been tampered with and, if examined, smells somewhat off. What this means is that in some cases, when the contaminated fuel is added, the flame temporarily changes color and those in close proximity experience odd effects.

If the flame turns blue, characters will feel compelled to share a truth about themselves that they wouldn't normally admit — at least, not to this person.

If the flame turns green, they will feel argumentative and inclined to pick a fight.

If the flame turns purple, it induces a desire for physical sensation — any sensation. It also scrambles characters' perception of what it is they're feeling. Everything they touch is inexplicably painful or pleasurable, hot or cold, smooth or sticky, soft or sharp, etc.

The effects last for as long as the flame burns that color, which can be anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. People who approach the lighthouse or try to investigate from the outside while these changes of color occur may find themselves lost on the beach for up to six hours.

« « « DOUBLE FEATURE

(cw: pornography, aphrodisiacs, public sex)

The city is putting on a free movie night in North Park with a big projector screen, encouraging citizens and LIERs alike to spread out a blanket and cuddle up close to watch the films.

It's a double feature! The first film of the evening is relatively "family friendly" but it's dripping in propaganda with a heavy pro-Creator bias and an emphasis on traditional Duplicity values. The second film, beginning well after dark, is more erotic and adult in nature (and frankly just straight up pornographic).

Concession stands are serving popcorn and other movie snacks, along with seasonal drinks like cider and hot cocoa, available during the hour before the showing and throughout the runtime of both films. As is common in Duplicity, many of the concessions are laced with an extra special ingredient that lowers inhibitions and dramatically increases libido.

Those who consume the refreshments may want to pull their blankets up over themselves and engage in some stealthy fondling, or maybe they're feeling bold enough to get handsy right out in the open. It's dark, after all, and everyone else is watching the movie. Or are they?

» » » 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 is more afraid of tangible things (such as spiders, snakes, or clowns), they are a Dominant. If your character is more afraid of intangible things (such as intimacy, rejection, or change), 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 tag on 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

[How long it took for Glinda - oh, Imoen can imagine Glinda speaking for quite some time. After all Glinda's sorcery still only exists as talk, as well. It's part of what makes the woman so amusing, whether Glinda intends to be so or not.

At risk of making their hands more obvious, the rogue shifts Glinda's hand over to her own bracelet, advertising the very same thing about her contract status. One moment, one thing to say in quiet support.]

Think I can picture it.

[But that's enough seriousness. Glinda needs to be up emotionally, and Imoen's favorite thing is to be an uplifting influence. She'll raise her free hand, wagging fingers.]

What if I promise I won't drop you, no matter how much you wiggle? And nobody'll even see that you're being carried by me - so no hullabaloo over the whole dominants doing things with dominants business?

[Full of mischief though Imoen is, Glinda knows with certainty that the other woman has no intention of harming her, and so she lets Imoen move her hand. Her fingers slide over a plain, simple bracelet, and Glinda glances up into Imoen's eyes, startled and understanding all at once. They don't need words, and in any case none are quite enough to speak of grief and loss and fear and anger all tied together. She bites at her own lower lip, and nods, and twines her fingers back through Imoen's in silent compassion.

The distraction of how, precisely, Imoen intends to accomplish the impossible is something to seize upon, and Glinda gratefully does exactly that. Lifting an eyebrow, she glances over to where the tour group is disappearing around a corner.]

Imoen, dear, I do hesitate to mention, but - won't it be rather, well, obvious?

And besides, I can walk, you know.

[Although she'll have to either take the shoes off or accept their loss, Glinda thinks. Even if walking in bare feet on these streets is a rather unnerving prospect.]

Sure you can. But you wanna walk the same way a vampire wants to get a sunburn.

[Something to seize on, indeed. Imoen gives a little dismissive sound, and glances back for the departing tour group before elaborating.]

Easy enough. A lil’ magic to make me buff as a tavern bouncer, and another bit of spells for invisibility.

Really, I shall begin to think you want to carry me.

[It's Glinda's turn now to let a teasing lilt slip into her voice, more than happy to steer them both away from any thoughts of contracts and Submissives - or the lack thereof, which really ought not to hurt as much as it does.]

And if I did say you might carry me - I suppose you have somewhere in mind to carry me to, for that matter?

Maybe I'm warming up to the idea.

[Turn a corner, just to make sure they're well and truly lost from the tour. Imoen does have a thought for mischief, and doesn't know how easily Glinda might catch it.

She'll tug Glinda's hand, guiding her to tuck close to a building's wall.]

Pick a place. Your destination for letting me have my bit of trouble.

[Being as hidden as possible is, right now, rather more important than usual for Glinda. And besides, she doesn't want to have to think, doesn't want to have to take charge - doesn't want to have to do anything except follow Imoen's lead, comfortable in the knowledge that the other woman might tease her but certainly won't harm her. Well - not without asking first, anyway.

She is not, however, about to press herself against a wall without a very good reason, and so Glinda steps closer to Imoen instead.]

Perhaps - the park?

[It's as close to privacy as they're going to get without choosing a club of some form (with all that that implies) or back to an apartment - and just now Glinda feels neither of them especially wants to go home, to the silence and stillness and absence.]

[Asking, yes. Imoen quirks an eyebrow at her when Glinda steps close to avoid the wall. But the park - the rogue thinks she remembers the way.]

Park it is. Watch this.

[Imoen will have to extract her hand, bringing both of hers up to begin tracing patterns. A few words, a flash of light - and there's Imoen, wandering away along the sidewalk.

It'll only be a few seconds before there's a tug at one of Glinda's sleeves from an invisible nobody, and a hushed psst, even as the rogue appears to be ambling about.]

[It is, truth be told, much more impressive than her own small magic. More impressive even than anything she's seen before - and yet Imoen is so young, around her own age, so how in Oz's name could she possibly have learned it?

And that's before she sees Imoen disappear from beside her and reappear across the street. Puzzled, Glinda's begun to move towards her when the tug on her sleeve startles her and makes her squeak.

She knows, even as it happens, that Imoen is going to be glorying in this moment of surprise - and yet Imoen is clearly across the road. Glinda's brow furrows, her gaze following her friend walking away...but she is quite sure she hasn't yet reached the point of hearing things. And so.]

.......Imoen?

[Oh, Glinda. Imoen doesn't even think. Not with an opening like that. She just promptly drops the tone of her voice into a mock deep range.]

No, this is the ghost that haunts all newly-arrived Dominants. That's a new thing, I'm going to follow you everywhere for a month.

[Concentrating on messing with Glinda, she accidentally allows her illusion to walk straight into a light pole.]

[She might be pretty and blonde, but Glinda is not stupid - even if she does, more often than not, let people think things are flying straight over her head. Besides, even if plenty of things are different to what she had expected, she's quite certain that ghosts are not something Duplicity would have embraced. Not unless they're rather wicked ghosts, anyway.

Which only leaves one possibility, and it's the far more likely one - ]

Imoen.

[Not having a visible Imoen to address her remark to, Glinda settles for rolling her eyes - just a little - before tilting her head towards the illusion. And although she is definitely not smiling at all, there may be the slightest hint of frustrated amusement in her voice.]

I thought you intended to spirit me away without drawing anyone's attention, dear.

[It's been far too long since she's heard her name said in that tone. Luckily she doesn't have to try covering it at all.]

What, over there? That's just someone having a weird day.

[A little shift in her attention, and Imoen has the illusion of herself right itself, and move to gaze in a building window, trying to make it affect a curious expression.

Another reason it's good Imoen can't be seen: her eyes would be lighting golden as she draws on power to bolster her strength. And then she can try collecting a witch in a princess carry.]

I said no one would see me carrying you. If someone asks, just say something about how you studied sorcery.

[She makes no effort to conceal her sigh - in fact, it may be a little more exaggerated than truly necessary - although, as Imoen sweeps her into the air, it becomes more of a yelp. Or perhaps a squeak, although Glinda is already determined to deny any suggestion of squeaking.

And if she can't see Imoen, at least she can feel the strength of the other woman's arms around her, the warmth of Imoen's body holding her close. She can wrap her arms around Imoen's shoulders, and try to relax into the hold - although it is rather difficult when her eyes are telling her she's floating and ought to fall to the ground at any moment.]

Rather I shall say you're a Submissive, so you ought to practice agreeing with everything I say and answering "yes, miss" when I tell you to do something.

[Imoen's starting to walk down the sidewalk, herself. It won't take her too long to hit a bit of a hustling pace, as her strength only lasts a little while, really. But even if she's trying to subtly rush to the chosen destination, she must play.

And surely, what Glinda says is intended to really get that must play. Agreeing with everything and polite phrases. She's certain Glinda knows better than that.

She gasps dramatically.]

Oh, no miss, I could never do that as a good submissive.

[The acceleration may be slight, but it's noticeable, and Glinda is still not quite sure how secure she feels in the arms of an invisible person. Most likely, she feels, Imoen wouldn't deliberately drop her - but if she should trip, or her strength run out, that might be a different tale.]

Well you needn't worry, I shall simply have to teach you how to - pretend, at least. I do have some experience, after all.

[Her smile twists a little ruefully. She had become rather good at pretending to be a good Dominant, and Eowyn a good Submissive, and it is only a pity that neither she nor Imoen has been reassigned as a Submissive or else they would have made a rather good team in the absence of - the people she is trying so awfully hard not to think about.

To distract them both, she reaches up to find a lock of Imoen's hair and twist it around her fingers. The sensation is quite fascinating, touching something so patently real and right there and yet completely invisible. And Glinda always has found distraction a far better idea than dwelling on problems.]

[Go go go, weave around anyone else on the sidewalk, don't give anyone else time to do anything except wonder what the hell just passed them by. Joking about how Glinda will need to bluff aside, that's the real plan now.

That said, as nice as it is to feel Glinda's fingers in her hair again, Imoen makes an oof sound in response to Glinda's search.]

Won't learn near as good if you poke one of my peepers out!

I assure you I am quite capable of telling the difference between your neck and your eyes, Imoen dear.

[She's not laughing, but it's close, and Glinda uses her free hand to demonstrate - palm flat against Imoen's shoulder before her fingers trace up along the line of the other woman's neck and around the delicate curve of her ear. Her thumb brushes lightly over Imoen's cheek and down to follow the outline of her mouth. How different it is to touch without seeing, even though she would have said she was quite certain she was familiar with Imoen's body.

And now, teasing but fond, Glinda leans in just enough to press a gentle kiss against the other woman's cheek, angling herself to make sure she doesn't obscure Imoen's line of sight. The last thing either of them needs right now is for Imoen to crash into something - or worse, someone - since, really, all Glinda wants is a little privacy.]

[Boy, it takes an effort of will to manage all the ways her attention is getting pulled. The illusion - she's set it to walking the opposite direction they're moving, now. This arrangement only works with Mislead, if she tried a normal invisibility spell, she would've needed a different approach. Keeping Glinda comfortable in her arms - last time she tried carrying someone, she'd been exhausted and dropped Juniper almost as soon as Sam had deposited the tiefling in her arms. Hopefully with her temporary strength, she's not holding her too firm.

Then there's trying to indulge herself by enjoying the passage of Glinda's hand along her neck, the gentle brush of a thumb across her lips. Imoen might have teased her by taking a nip, if she weren't so occupied.

Still, there's a pleased hum when Glinda manages to press a kiss to her skin.]

When'd you find out how my eyes feel, anyway? Think I would've remembered you feeling them up.

[She is learning, rather faster than she might have anticipated, that sight can almost entirely be ignored in favor of touch, and sound, and memory. Imoen's breathing has quickened, although of course she is walking rather fast, but that soft sound is unmistakable pleasure - and, perhaps, a request for more. And so Glinda twirls her fingers through Imoen's hair again, letting her fingertips trail along the other woman's neck, but resists kissing her again. For the moment, anyway. Truly, the last thing she wants is to distract Imoen into dropping her.]

Well, and I'm certain you would have, only - have you heard of those, ah, 'contact' things? To make your eyes different colors? They're terribly clever, only if you make any kind of mistake you do tend to touch your eyes, which was rather unpleasant, but now you see also rather illuminating.

[She can only imagine what this looks like to anyone paying attention. A woman bobbing down the sidewalk, gently touching the air. Well, Glinda is right to think that Imoen would enjoy the continued attention. It's been a while since she had someone touch her so gently. So affectionately.

And she's actually not going to tease her about the contacts - at least, not yet. With her hair dying habits, Imoen isn't going to discourage Glinda from exploring little ways to play with her appearance.]

What color were you going for? Did you like how it looked, once you were done poking yourself?

As it happens, I wasn't - as such - only they had ever so many, and some were rather pretty, you know. Why, there was one with the smallest little hearts you can imagine, and you would think it ought to make it quite hard to see, but it didn't at all.

I shall take you there sometime. Perhaps if you had enough, you could have your eyes always match your hair, and wouldn't people be surprised!

[It is with a slightly guilty sense of relief that she spots the park gates approaching - not that she had thought Imoen would drop her, and yet...well, better to be safe. Besides it's here, in Glinda's mind, that one has the best chance of privacy outside one's own apartment, and she has no desire whatsoever to return to her apartment alone. Without anyone else around - no Elphie, no Ama Clutch, no Eowyn - it is awfully quiet and cold and lonely.

Glinda does not manage especially well alone.]

Oh - do keep an eye out, these little bowers are simply darling, I should enjoy sitting for a moment or two and - and watching the flowers, or such.

[This is, she thinks, probably what one does in bowers. Or what one is supposed to do, anyway. Really, if she can manage to rest her head on Imoen's shoulder and continue to be not-alone, Glinda is quite prepared to pretend an interest in all sorts of things.]

You’ll have to show me. I’ve gotta see those heart eyes.

[She’s not sure that’s what Glinda meant for her to take away from this, but it is.

There’s a little acknowledging ‘mmph’ as Glinda points out the bowers. Makes it toward one before her illusion flickers out - and oh, there’s still a moment of her eyes glinting with golden light, before the strength goes out too.

Nice as Glinda’s head resting on her shoulder is, the good witch is about to be deposited in a very unceremonious way.]

Whoops.

[It's lucky for them both that Glinda has had rather a lot of practice in heels, for although she wobbles and has to clutch Imoen's arm for balance she doesn't fall. It almost distracts her from the odd sight of Imoen's eyes seeming, just for a moment, to be gold - but the light is odd, Glinda reasons, and secondly people's eyes simply do not go golden all of a sudden, and thirdly she's spent rather a lot of time gazing at Imoen's eyes and they definitely don't go golden all of a sudden, and overall this probably means she's a little overwrought and really ought to have a nice cup of tea and perhaps a bowl of saffron cream and one or two lovely little pastries.

At the moment, however, what she has is a bench, and Imoen, and a circle of tall hedges surrounding them, and the sound of a little stream burbling somewhere nearby. And that, Glinda decides, will do.]

Do come and sit down, and - well, do you need to recover your strength, after that? Or does it feel as though you were just strolling along?

[Already holding Imoen's arm makes it easy for her to tug the other girl gently towards the bench.]

Y’know I never stroll anywhere. I skip, and sometimes even scarper.

[Glinda’s recovery is surprisingly smooth. Imoen supposes she should expect it. The other woman may never practice a single bit of sorcery in front of Imoen, but she certainly knows how to present herself. Sometimes it takes actual planning to get Glinda to break poise.

She lets Glinda guide her to the bench, careful in how she carelessly flops herself down on it.]

Just the sort of place you had in mind?

[Imoen, of course, manages to drape herself across the bench as if it's a delightfully overstuffed lounge; Glinda, of course, settles herself primly, knees close together and dress smoothed neatly over them. But Imoen's relaxed posture does look rather more comfortable, even if certainly much more provocative, and a part of Glinda would really very much like to try sprawling that way as well.

Exactly the same.

[She hesitates, considering, and then decides to follow Imoen's lead, such as it is - to keep the conversation light, and aimless, and topics one could smile at if one were inclined to smile. Which Glinda is not really, not at the moment, but she is certainly going to smile regardless.

I do think I've seen you saunter, as well, and even - skedaddle, is that right?

[It's not a word she's used before, but it's remarkably good at conjuring up the image of Imoen swiftly exiting a scene less gracefully than she might like. Which, Glinda thinks, is perhaps more common than the other woman would like her to know.

She shifts a little in her seat, gaze flicking around the bower, feeling quite unable to sit still with so much going on inside her. At least Imoen - if she notices - is unlikely to be offended, or to make sharp remarks on the topic of being ladylike.

And, eventually - which is much less time than Glinda would have liked, in other circumstances - she can't help but sigh, a deep breath that does not in any way relieve her frustration.]

Imoen - is it as though - as though you woke up, and you were back with those....those doctor people, and when they let you go everything was changed? When it ought to have been just the same?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TDM #32

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