TDM #32

[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. 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

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(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

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(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

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(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

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(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

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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 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!!

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» » » MAIN NAVIGATION « « «

Comments

Methos | Highlander | Submissive

[live_growstronger]

All Aboard

[Methos is trying to maintain some semblance of a picture of pride as the group gathers for the walking tour, the Submissives cordoned off to the side like livestock. Luckily, he's managed to find some clothing straight after Orientation or else he'd have been forced to do this in nothing but a paper gown. Others didn't appear to have been so lucky.

His mask of calm is utterly decimated when a SIN guard approaches holding out a leather harness for him and a riding crop for the Dominant he's meant to carry around the Up on this walking tour. The old Immortal sputters, looking from the harness to the waiting Dominant hoping for some sympathy from them as he well knows he's not going to get it from the guards. He remembers that from the last time he was here.]

Surely, there are better solutions to an out-of-service train? I'll make for a terrible beast of burden, I assure you! [He gestures behind him.] Bad back. Weak legs. It's all just one recipe for disaster!

[All lies of course. Methos is perfect capable. He just doesn't want to!]


Think of You Future: Bartender

[These classes are obviously some trick to get them all to make fools of themselves. Despite that fact, he's indulging it for the moment. He needed something to do and presumably the worst that will happened at the end of this is getting his quota seen to for this month more quickly. Hopefully. Unless there's something worse than simple aphrodisiacs' in these liquors?

He'll just keep an eye on how the others react to tasting them, so he didn't end up making a complete and utter fool of himself. Methos takes his time making his cocktail for that very purpose, avoiding the mixers that seem to lead to less than desirable outcomes. In the end he's pours the drink into two glasses, garnishing them with a maraschino cherry and lemon twist before taking them to the bar counter toward another 'student' for the taste test.]

I've made a Vieux Carré. [Not one of the drinks listed for them in the guides. He doesn't need much guidance on how to make a proper drink.] Rye whiskey, cognac, vermouth and a dash of Benedictine liqueur...

[And if he's right all it should do is make them both a bit hot under the collar and not have the sudden desire to break out the whips or ball-gags.]


Moths to the Flame: Blue

[It seems like an easy enough task, but that's how the get you isn't it? Nothing is every straight forward. Call him paranoid, but is it paranoia if it's usually right? And his strong paranoia had kept him alive for five thousand plus years, thank you very much!

So each step up the stairs of the lighthouse is taken with great caution, the fuel clutched to his chest like it might very well explode if not handled with enough care. Methos doesn't care how his partner feels about his caution, he's planning to get out of this without incident!

The lens cleaned, he begins to pour in the new fuel and the flames take on a bright blue hue. It's almost beautiful and he finds himself transfixed on the flickering light. As he watches, his mouth starts to move before he can even register that he's speaking.]

I'm more likely to lie than tell the truth. Nobody likes the truth anyway. So it's better that way.

think of your future;

[cosmicmistake]

[ one of the perks to being who and what she is? hope knows where people are in her general vicinity before they know she's there... and it comes in handy when she recognizes methos' scent from across the room.

that he's back is enough. that he's close is better and she turns from her immediate course to take a detour to where he has his back to the person he'd started his demonstration with. catching their eye, hope murmurs a quiet, "find another partner," the compulsion enough for them to do just that, giving her the moments needed to take their seat. to watch as he finishes garnishing the glasses, to admire him as he turns.

she's just made one of the dishes he'd taught her less than a week ago. just told someone about him. it's like she'd conjured him out of thin air and, when she catches his eye, she smiles. ]

I'm not surprised you deviated. [ if he sets the glass down, she'll lift it. ] I'm sure it's better than anything they could have put on the menu, anyway.

[ visually, she hasn't changed. emotionally... ]

[live_growstronger]

[As Methos turns he's momentarily startled. He'd been sure he'd been partnered with someone else... but the person in their place, well, he's not going to complain. The surprise is quickly overtaken by warmth. He can't admit to missing Hope as he'd not remembered his time here when he returned home, but he's still happy to see her. A familiar face in a so far swarm of entirely new ones.

Setting down one of the glasses in front of her, he takes the other for himself.] They didn't have the ingredients for kykeon or I might have made that. Although I believe most modern tongues would shudder at putting grated goat's cheese in an alcoholic drink, so perhaps it's for the best I made this instead.

[As he's talking, he's taking her in, taking note of what lay beyond. She may look the same but he knew all to well that meant nothing. There's more there in her eyes. His joking tone turns more serious after taking a sip of his cocktail.] How long has it been, Hope?

[cosmicmistake]

[ hope hasn't expected to be missed, but she'd expected to be remembered, and the look on his face says he does. it's a relief, one that doesn't show on her face. it's difficult to be stuck in the city while others come and go and don't remember. she'd like to say it doesn't sting, but it does.

there's a huff of a laugh, as she gives in to the humor of grated goat's cheese, shaking her head once, before softening her gaze. ]

I'd trust you. [ something she's said to him before, and would say again, but it comes with a fondness she doesn't hold for a lot of people anymore. his question causes her gaze to drop to the glass she's holding and she pauses before taking a healthy swallow. ] Two and a half years.

[ after admitting it, she raises her eyes to his. ]

[live_growstronger]

Trusting me is a gambler's proposition. [He smiles back lightly, sipping his drink.] Could go either way. But in your case? The odds are pretty good. [He cared about her too much to steer her completely off track.

Methos frowns at the mention of how long it'd been.] I'm sorry. Has it been a hard two and a half years? [He reaches out a hand to place over her free hand not holding her drink.]

Moths to the flame

[livelongandsass]

[She follows the man up the stairs, sleeves rolled up and her own canister tucked casually under one arm. Busywork - it's nothing new. Even with a little bump in rank, there's the senior officers telling her to scan rooms full of isolinear chips. So.

Lug the fuel up the stairs. Stow her canister, and keep cleaning the place while Methos pours. Mariner hasn't really even noticed the change in the flame when he speaks.]

Trying to trap a computer in a logic paradox over there? Because telling the truth about lying a lot is a great first step.

[live_growstronger]

[Methos is so busy furrowing his brow so hard his forehead might fold entirely in on itself that he nearly doesn't hear her. Something is terribly terribly wrong and there's a sinking feeling forming in his gut.]

I'm not sure why I said that just now. [He pulls he eyes from the flame to look at his partner. What had her name been again?] Besides what I said isn't a logic paradox. I said I'm more likely to lie than tell the truth. I didn't say that I always lie.

[livelongandsass]

[Scrubbing away, just really digging in on this spot. Mariner laughs.]

Hey, no judgment. Everyone's got their own shit going on.

[Unfortunate that her gaze is finally focusing on the flame. Habitually unfiltered, meet a need to speak.]

Look at me. I'm always making it hard to have my back. Because if I do it on purpose, I can say it was all my choice when people finally show they never had my back.

- ah, damnit.

[live_growstronger]

[He's putting together what's happening as she speaks, saying things she clearly doesn't mean to admit either. He steps back from the flame, setting his canister down.]

Trusting people is a challenge sometimes. [Methos found it best not to trust anyone. Although he did quite well at reading people and how they would act, sometimes before they even knew it themselves.] We should leave. Before I tell you something I'd rather not, like that I'm an Immortal.

[He curses sharply under his breath and without another word, makes for the stairs.]

Think of You Future

[there_can_be_only_one]

Connor has elected to play more of an observer role (which he can likely get away with holding a dominant designation). It doesn't mean he won't partake, just that he'll be rather choosy about it.

He's not expecting to experience that tell-tale pulsing in his head. But makes a slow scan of the area, senses on full alert.

His shoulders relax a touch when he spots a vaguely familiar face behind the bar. As he approaches, he says, "Trying to blend in?" It is what they do after all.

[live_growstronger]

When Methos feels that familiar buzz he very nearly drops the two glasses he's holding and is already preparing to flee out the nearest door, damn the consequences. The instinct to do so is strong despite the knowledge that this place is relatively safe from the threat of even Immortal death. Even that could be reversed in this bizarre place.

The tension in his shoulders relaxes when he finally sees who it is. Perhaps not nearly so relaxed as they might have been if it had been another MacLeod, but he can't be terribly picky. There are far less desirable options than Connor that it might have been, after all.

Approaching the bar, Methos' slides one of the glasses to him before sipping his own, "For a lack of a better option, yes." A hand goes to the leather collar adorning his neck giving it a slight turn, "There are not many alternatives presented to me but to play my designated role."

Methos had been forced to play far worse in his time, so he'll make do.

[there_can_be_only_one]

He shouldn't laugh. Really, he shouldn't, but he'd heard enough stories to find the attempt to disappear amusing. Connor, himself, was too brash to slink off in any fashion.

"Not good ones anyway," he agrees.

He glances to the glass, then back to the man. "What did you put in this?" He has been here long enough to know that the food and drink really cannot be trusted. Ever.

[live_growstronger]

There's a reason Methos is the eldest of them all and it's not because he takes unnecessary risks. Live. Grow Stronger. Fight another day.

There's a twinkle of amusement in his eyes from over the top of his own glass against his lips at Connor's question, teasing thick in his voice, "That is the question, isn't it? Don't you trust me, Connor MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod?"

All Aboard

[fanoperator]

Huaisang recognizes that voice.

Even though the words aren't directed at him, Huaisang immediately weaves his way through the crowd to Methos' side and flashes him a grin before turning to the dominant Methos was about to be paired with. He makes their excuses, explaining that Methos was supposed to be assigned to him, terribly sorry for any inconvenience, they'll just be going over here now.

Looping his arm through Methos', he gets him to the edge of the group where they'll have a little more breathing room to chat before looking up at him, warm and fond. "Did you get older since we last met? I remember you being strong enough..."

[live_growstronger]

Methos lets himself be led, seeing as there's little else for him to do and it gets him out of giving a piggyback ride to the other Dominant. However, it remains to be seen if he'll be required to give Huaisang one. At least that prospect is slightly preferable. He answers in a low voice as not to be overheard by anyone else, especially the SIN guards.

"Not very much older." Especially by his standards, "That was what I like to call... a 'lie'."

And not a very good one as it hadn't seemed to be swaying the other Dominant or the guards.

[fanoperator]

Huaisang gasps in shock, clasping a hand to his chest and looking as though he might swoon. "Methos! I didn't think you even knew the meaning of the word. You really have grown up since we last met."

Smiling warmly up at him, Huaisang admires his handsome face. "Just as handsome as ever, though. I've missed you. It must be... two years, I think, since I saw you last. I've grown up, too."

[live_growstronger]

There's an amused quirk at Methos lips at Huaisang's antics, which are clearly all in jest. Very little had changed for Methos, still the same cynical old man he'd always been. Of course, he'd always been quite good at presenting himself in whatever way was necessary to survive.

"Have you now? All grown up, are you?" He considers the Dominant and his supposed growth, "You'll have to tell me all about it."

Hopefully without the piggyback ride, but the guards seem to be eyeballing him as the rest of the party is starting to embark on the tour expectantly.

network; un: pervivo ; video- OPEN

[live_growstronger]

[A man appears on the screen, clad in a wool sweater and jeans, and entirely unassuming. He's not one to make a spectacle of himself. Even doing this network post is uncharacteristic of him.]

Good afternoon. Can you hear me? [He's a quick study despite being old as dirt, and luckily he'd gotten pretty used to the devices after being here last time. Cell phones in the 90's where he's from are a far cry from this.]

My name is... [And saying this out loud is a struggle with how accustomed he is to lying.] Methos.

I understand that it's been about two years since I was here last. So, I'm back. If there's anyone here who remembers me, I'm the same charming asshole as I ever was. Perhaps we can catch up and you can tell me what has gone on here since I was here last? I've looked through the network, of course, but I'd like to hear it from you.

Also, I don't want to waste any time so if there are any Dominants who might consider me as a contract, I'm all ears. [He offers a self-deprecating smile gesturing to his face.] And nose. [Because it's larger you see.] I have several appealing qualities. I'm an excellent conversationalist. I can cook. I know first aid. I love the blues. I'm also quite experienced in the bedroom. What's not to like?

un: tribrid

[cosmicmistake]

[ and here's hope, grinning, unable to avoid responding. ]

You forgot the most important part, darling.

[ okay, so maybe she lays it on a bit thick. ]

[live_growstronger]

And what's that, dearheart? [He asks, matching her energy with fond amusement.] Is it something to do with my marital status?

[cosmicmistake]

[ he's effortlessly charming and she ignores the pang in her heart. ]

I mean, I can put one in for the Piersons.

[ if he looks hard enough, there's practically a halo over her head. ]

bartender

[the_real_mccoy]

[McCoy looked at the glass suspiciously. He was extra polite to women because they were women and deserved all the respect he could give. With men, he held back very little.]


That onea them sweet cherries down in there? It ain't made the whole thing sugar-sweet has it?

[live_growstronger]

[Can't win them all apparently, Methos leans against the side of the bar as the man looks like the drink might bite him.] The benedictine, cognac, and vermouth are sweet too but I wouldn't say the entire drink itself is a sickly sort of sweet because of them or the cherries. I'd say the bitterness and the sweetness complement each other well enough so it's not overwhelming. Now, if I'd been looking for something very sweet I would have made a pina colada.

Which I didn't do as I'm pretty sure the rum would lead to that... [He points across the way to a man frantically begging a woman to smack him across the ass with a serving tray.] Which, while looks fun surely, I prefer to have some semblance of control over myself.

[the_real_mccoy]

[Interesting man. McCoy actually pulled the drink towards him and sipped it, brow lifted at the guy. Someone who had a brain as well as some sense. That wasn't always the case. McCoy glanced at the action and back to the man.]


Ya got a name?

[live_growstronger]

[He starts to drink from his own glass.]

I have several. [He holds out a hand across the bar to shake.] But you can call me Methos.

[That will never not feel strange to him, openly admitting that name to a stranger. There's no hiding it here, though, so a lie would only get him so far.]