duplicitymemes | TDM #35

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«tdm

TDM #35

« « « 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 first hints of spring are in the air.

» » » 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.

« « « KNOT WORK

(cw: bondage/shibari)

The featured workshop at this month's Orientation is a trust-building "ropes course." Deepen your bond with your partner and explore the balance between restraint and freedom, as well as the power dynamics inherent in this hands-on learning opportunity. You'll discover the beauty of patience, communication, and connection as you weave intricate patterns of rope around each other's bodies.

The class portion of the workshop is brief, featuring demonstrations by NPC Dominants and Submissives, after which characters of opposite designations will be paired up and expected to replicate what was shown. Printed handouts from LIEs will be passed around with step by step instructions for their reference—though some may be less than clear, or only include pictures and diagrams without written directions. Do your best!

» » » SPLATTER PAINT

(cw: sexual fluids and other body fluids, sexual art, body paint)

Want to escape the unpleasantness of the Down? Arrivals are encouraged to partner up and participate in an ongoing public art installation in the Up where they will be invited to shed inhibitions and embrace the raw essense of self-expression through a unique medium: their stained bed sheets. The exhibition is being held in Fiddler's Square's very own Stay & Play Hotel where pairs may rent time in a special reserved block of rooms to work on their intimate canvases. Uncontracted pairs may get a steep discount, or even a free room if they are convincingly passionate. All sheets in these rooms are reactive to moisture of any kind, and each room is stocked with complimentary lubricants and body paints.

Through tactile engagement and artistic interpretation, attendees redefine the unity and celebration of their designations coming together and celebrate the complexity and beauty of their experience. Unleash your creativity, and join in defining the art of expression.

« « « TAKE WHAT YOU GET

(cw: gas leak, aphrodisiacs, altered mental states, hallucinations)

The Down isn't a very pleasant place to be, especially for newcomer Submissives who are forced to live in public housing. While the state of the building complex is nothing to phone home about at the best of times, this particular month it's abysmal. Much needed repairs on the plumbing have been ignored for far too long and, after a particularly chilly winter, the hot water heaters are bust. They need replacing, but who is going to pay for that? It'll take some time and a bunch of bureaucratic red tape before the water in the city-provided housing turns warm again. Enjoy your cold showers for the foreseeable future! Or, y'know, suck up to a Dominant and ask them to use their shower.

But wait! There's more! As if the plumbing problems aren't bad enough, there is also some kind of gas leak, and a nasty one at that. It doesn't seem to be flammable and no one will be dying in their sleep, but that's the only good news. The fumes from the gas are invisible and also odorless, leaving unsuspecting Submissives (and anyone else who visits the building, for that matter) at the mercy of the effects. In the common areas of the building the exposure is the strongest, but it still seeps into character's rooms as well.

Inhaling the gas will leave characters feeling loopy and more open to interacting with others. Some may find that they're feeling extra cuddly and needy, if not outright horny because of it. The rarest—and one of the least pleasant—side effects are the hallucinations some characters may experience, causing them to mistake others for people they may know.

After a few days the leak will be repaired, but it'll take a few more days following the fix for the building to be aired out completely.

» » » 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 lawful, they are a Submissive. If your character is more chaotic, 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 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

[Ugh, what a waste. In another environment, Cater would really enjoy stripping down at Lilia's command and being called a good boy for his efforts. A lot of the fun is taken out of it, though, thanks to their surroundings. Ah, well. Cater's not going to be a spoil-sport, especially with a friend. This is the first time he's getting any sort of freaky with Lilia, so he definitely wants to make the most of things.

Using his hands just enough to get his pants low enough on his hips for gravity to take over, Cater does a sexy little shimmy to help them fall the rest of the way.]

Liking what you see, Lils?

Why, of course! Who wouldn't enjoy this view?

[ Oh, how he wants to run his fingers along that exposed skin of Cater's, to attempt to get him to shiver under his touch. To witness more of his dear friend, and how this place had changed him.

Or, what this place had brought out of him, to be exact. ]

I do wish I had this view all to myself right this moment, if I am completely honest. No matter, [ The diagram is set aside, the rope grasped. Was he even going to look at it...??? ]
Are you ready, Cater?

[Cater laughs--and it's only somewhat for show. He's not sure if he believes Lilia's for real with that flirtation or he's just saying whatever sounds right for the setting. With Lilia, he can never be totally sure what the truth is. Well, all he can do is play along, and it's easy enough to do so with a smile when he has Lilia for a partner instead of some other rando.]

Ready as I'll ever be!

[He steps out of his pants, scooting the clothes to the side.]

Make sure you get my good side?

I will do my absolute best.

[ It's time to put on a show, Cater Diamond. Are you ready? Lilia takes several steps forward, until he's directly in front of Cater. His hands briefly tug on the rope he was holding, stretching it, testing it.

Then, one hand carefully reaches out, fingers carefully brushing up Cater's waist, as if testing the waters. This was, after all, the most intimate the two of them had ever been. No matter what the circumstances, this was bound to be new for them both.

Those piercing red eyes focus up on Cater, a slightly more serious look on his face. ]

Arms up, Cater. Like this. [ Lilia doesn't show him with his own hands, instead grasping Cater's wrist and bringing it up. ]

I need both hands there first, to get us started.

You betcha!

[What kind of PMC member would he be if he wasn't ready to stop and put on a show at the drop of a hat? That said, though, his smile becomes a bit more subdued as Lilia guides him into position. The touch isn't what bothers him, but as he sets up his arms...

No, it would be fine. It was just an exercise. It's not like he was being strapped down to a flat surface, or anything. He'd be fine.]

This good?

[He'll hold still to give Lilia plenty of freedom to work.]

[ For a completely different reason, Lilia's own smile becomes more subdued. It was time to lead, to teach, to mentor. His eyes are narrowed in focus, a small nod being all that's offered in response, minus a small muttered praise.

Who knew that Lilia could focus so intensely?

First things first, the rope is brought up to wrap Cater's wrists together. The rope is tight. Not enough to hurt, but definitely enough to burn after long enough of being in the same position.

The next steps is done with precision that only someone who'd done this before could have. As he finishes tying the first few knots, he pauses only briefly, eyes flicking up to Cater's face, to try and read the unreadable. ]

Is that too tight?

[It's like flipping a switch. The rope itself isn't what does it--it wasn't rope that Jouno had used to restrain him, in that hotel. It's the tightness, he sudden inability to move his hands. But still, he can move the rest of his arms. He can move his legs.

I can do this. I'm fine.

He barely hears Lilia's question over the static in his ears. Smile gone, throat tight, but he can still breathe. He's still here. Cater shakes his head, slowly.]

[ Was Cater deep in focus, too? His smile vanished like the sun would vanish over the dark branches of the forest. He was still, almost unnaturally so.

Was this how Cater reacted when he got flustered? Lilia tilts his head to one side, before just nodding along. ]

Alright. Tell me if it gets too tight. I'm going to continue now.

[ He'd better keep an eye on Cater. Something... didn't feel quite right. ]

[The more Lilia binds him, the less that Cater can keep it together. When his arms get strapped back to his chest, he can barely breathe. His vision pinpricks, darkness clouding in at the edges, and he doesn't know if he can stand.

He's not here anymore, and it's not his friend that has him immobilized. Even though it's a different kind of bondage, the powerlessness takes him back there. He's restrained, and he's hurt, and it's not the fun kind of pain anymore, but Jouno isn't letting him go, and--]

Please...

[It's the only word that he can manage at first, voice small and strangled between sharp breaths. No flush to his face, Cater's gone dangerously pale.]

No more, please.

[ ... No.

No, this was not Cater being flustered, Cater focusing on trying not to enjoy this too much. This was completely different. A side of Cater that he's sure he's never seen.

The single word stops Lilia in his tracks, his eyes wide as could be, pupils going small as he stares up at Cater, dumbfounded for a second.

Oh no. ]

Cater...

[ It's a swift movement that he takes - those sharp nails of him manage to tear through some of the rope, before he pulls out his pen instead. A quick spell, concentrated on those knots, burning them away easily. Slipping the pen back away, he quickly pushes the rope off of Cater, to help free him all the way. ]

I believe that's quite enough of that, then.

[ Fucking whoops. ]

[The ropes fall away and Cater gasps for air. He has the sudden urge to flee with that newfound freedom, but his legs are too weak. Anyway, his head is starting to clear and with mortification, he's starting to remember where he is and who he's with. Cater swallows, tongue feeling thick and throat dried out.]

Aha...

[He tries for a self-deprecating laugh to clear the tension, but he can barely get it out. With his cheerful mask nowhere to be found, Cater can't hide just how shaken he still is.]

Sorry about that.

[He needs to get out of here. It feels like everyone's watching. Like he's about to make an even bigger scene if he isn't careful.]

Can we get outta here?

[ This side of Cater--
It's worrisome. Not that Lilia would comment on it right away, to ask Cater what was up or what was wrong. Instead, Lilia just offers a slight smile, meant more to comfort than anything else.

The only person who mattered right now was Cater. To Lilia, it didn't matter whether eyes were on them or not. If someone had a problem with the two of them not completing the task, they'd have to take that problem up with Lilia himself. ]

Of course.

[ Slipping off his oversized jacket, the man quickly pulls it around Cater, to hide him from the world and allow him to keep some of his dignity. In another movement, he grabs Cater's clothes from the ground, before looking Cater over again. ]

My assigned housing is nearby.

[ Could Cater even walk, with how shaken up he was...?
With that thought in mind, Lilia Vanrouge does what anyone with his particular skillset would do - he picks the taller man up, hoisting him to allow him to rest against his shoulder and upper body. ]

Mmh-- here we go.

[ He didn't seen to be willing to negotiate this positioning at all, carrying both Cater and his earlier discarded pieces of clothing, his own jacket being all that's around Cater. A small laugh escapes him, at the hilarity of their position, as he begins to make his way out of there!

This isn't a kidnapping, he swears. ]

[Is it embarrassing to get carted around like a child by a man who is a whole head shorter than him? Maybe, but it isn't the first time that he's been picked up and carried home and it probably won't be the last. In his rattled state of mind, Cater doesn't even have it in him to protest.

He'll just hide himself in Lilia's jacket as much as he can, closing his eyes and letting that be an escape from this awful city for as long as the trip lasts.

It isn't his first time in the Up public housing, so the sounds and smells are familiar enough for Cater to tell once they've gotten where they need to be. Maybe it's that he's gotten so compliant as a sub or maybe it's because of the extreme level of stress he just displayed, but Cater waits for Lilia to decide where he's to be deposited, whether it's on a couch or bed or even just on the floor.]

[ As it wasn't Cater's first time being picked up and carried home, it wasn't Lilia's first time carrying someone so much taller than him. He has an easy time, easier than most passerby would assume, explaining the looks he got easily.

He's silent the whole trip. There was no need for words, not in this moment. Cater needed the time to calm down, he's sure... and Lilia, himself, needed the time to figure out how he was going to deal with this.

Upon getting to his assigned apartment, Lilia does his best to unlock the door with one hand, shoving the door open. The shoes he wore would prove to be too difficult to take off like this - he ignores them for now, wandering into the apartment.

Only when he'd gotten to the bedroom does Lilia drop Cater, along with his clothes. He's set down gently on the soft fabric of the bed, only for his face to immediately be cupped with both of his hands, as Lilia leans all too close, until their faces are mere centimeters apart. ]

Rest, dear. I'll be back in a moment. You can change into your clothes or keep wearing my coat, whichever you prefer.

[ A quick kiss is pressed to Cater's forehead. Truly, Lilia was showing his fatherly side, without realizing. ]
Do you need anything?

[Cater's breathing a lot easier by the time he's put down on the bed. He takes a deep breath, sighing out a small laugh as Lilia places a kiss to his forehead. That, more than anything, is embarrassing enough to make a flush return to his face. It was just such a gentle, familial gesture...and Cater isn't particularly used to those. Especially not these days.]

No...I'm good, thanks. I just need a few minutes.

[To chill out. Already, though, he's feeling a lot better. There's a sort of tremble to his limbs now that the adrenaline has ebbed, but that, too, will work itself out. Whatever Lilia's planning on stepping away to do, Cater flops backward, not bothering to change for the moment.

He'll just lay here looking sexily exhausted.]

[ Lilia's hands fall away from Cater's face before the other flops back onto the bed. Stepping back and out of the room, Lilia heads to the front door again, making sure he could lock it up. Leaning down, he unzips his boots, stepping out of them and placing them neatly by the door.

With the heeled boots off, he was a good few inches smaller, even, than usual. Would Cater notice? Probably not, while he was resting at least.

The last stop before returning was to the kitchen, retrieving a cup of water for Cater. It's really only a total of five minutes before Lilia returns, holding that cup as he moves over towards the bed. ]

Here, sit up. You should drink. [ He all but demands, not yet joining him on the bed. ]

[Once Lilia returns, Cater's found enough wherewithal to slap his smiling mask back on. He sits up as he's told, accepting the offer of water. As he sips it, he curls his legs up to his chest.]

Thanks, bestie. I'm pretty parched.

[If the loudly fake smile on his face is any indication, he's hoping to sweep that entire episode under the covers.]

What a way to start your new life in a whole new world, amirite?

[ Did Cater expect to get away with that? Lilia wasn't one to trifle with when it came to things like this.

Lilia's annoyance is brief, yet still visible on his face in the brief moment it lasts. With the other holding the water cup, he's able to climb up onto the bed, sitting on his knees near Cater. Both of his hands press between his legs onto the bed, as he leans up, staring at Cater with a look that told the story: Lilia wasn't going to let it slide. ]

Cater.
[ How to approach this? ]

Are you sure you're alright?
[ The ball would be tossed back into Cater's court. It was his choice whether or not to confide in him, after all. Lilia couldn't force him to. ]

Sure.

[Why wouldn't I be? is a stupid thing to ask, so Cater clears his throat instead, eyes glancing away from Lilia's looming face.]

You don't need to worry about all that; I'm already over it. You should be more concerned about adjusting.

[ It was just like him to dance around the topic, to push it away. It was all Cater ever did, when his own emotions came into question. No matter if it was during their club meetings or during a moment in private, not that there were many of those back at the Academy. ]

I haven't a single worry about how I'll adjust. What I am worrying over is how you are adjusting.

[ One hand is brought up, a pointed black nail directed at Cater, almost touching his nose. ]

If you won't be honest with me --
The least I can possibly do is provide you with as much support as you'll allow me to. [ That hand falls back down, to rest against his chest. ]

We are friends, are we not?

Of course we're friends.

[Why did Lilia have to be so perceptive? Why did so many people in his life, these days, have to be so conscious of his deceptions? It made everything so much harder, when he couldn't lie his way out of being emotionally vulnerable. Things were bad enough with Idia and Silver--he already relied so much on them. If he let anyone else in...how could he possibly take it?]

I'm thriving, remember?

[Cater sighs, smile falling. Maybe if he was new to Duplicity, he'd fight harder. Lately, he just hasn't had nearly as much of it in him.]

I've been here for nearly a year, I've adjusted. You just saw a hiccup, that's all. I didn't think it would happen, either. Now I know I'm not ready for bondage again, yet.

[ His own words thrown back at him. That stung, a little. Almost like Cater was trying to make a point with that. Anyone else might get annoyed with him, even with his earlier little 'hiccup'.

Reaching out, he plucks the cup from Cater's hand, setting it on the nightstand. Cater'd be able to see him vanish in a flicker of lights. Despite his magic waning, he still had some tricks up his sleeve, of course.

Cater would be able to feel the tell-tale pressure of arms falling over his shoulders from behind, a hug that he couldn't escape. ]

Again?
[ The question is breathed out, almost quiet enough to be a whisper against Cater's ear. His cheek presses against Cater's head, as he makes himself comfortable laying against Cater's back there, despite them being sat up. After all, to wrap his arms around his neck over his shoulders in that position, Lilia had to sit up on his knees. It was far easier on him if he was able to lean his weight on Cater. ]

Hm hm hm. I see! [ The tiniest of hums escapes Lilia, as he brings one of his hands up to play with some strands of Cater's hair from where he's at. ]

I won't ask you to tell me what happened, if you don't wish to. It's not my place. [ And something tells him Cater would deny it anyways.]

[Surprised by Lilia's disappearance and then the hug, Cater jolts slightly before his body slowly starts to relax again under the easy weight of the smaller man.]

...no, it's okay. I guess you might as well know.

[Everyone else that was here from NRC already knew about it. There wasn't much reason to hide what happened, even if he didn't like to talk about it.]

A few months ago, I went to bed with someone knowing that he'd be rough with me. After he had me restrained, though, he tortured me instead and left me disfigured. Someone used magic strong enough to heal me, but...I guess I'm still kind of messed up about it.

[It's beyond frustrating. He presses his knees a bit more closely to his chest. Why isn't he better? Why can't he just be better?]

[ The story is listened to. Every word of it. Lilia's hands rest in different spots, one playing with Cater's hair, his other fingers curling against his own jacket, on a spot where it rests at Cater's chest.

As Cater finishes, it's easy to tell that the story absolutely pissed Lilia off. Why wouldn't it? Someone had hurt a friend he cared so dearly about. A friend who, he'd consider, was one of the closest he had aside from his own family.

His nails can almost be felt through the fabric of the jacket, as he shifts against Cater, just slightly, trying to get his anger under control.]

Did someone already get payback against that person? The ones who are here -- our classmates. Silver. [ If ANYONE, he was sure Silver wouldn't let that stand. Not at all. Lilia huffs out a sigh, shaking his head before leaning it back against Cater's head. ]

Anyone would be messed up after experiencing that. [ This anger was all-consuming, enough that Lilia had to force himself to bury his face against the back of Cater's shoulder, to hold back any crueler words he might hold within himself. ]

[Even without seeing Lilia, it's hard not to feel the sudden tension in the room. It's enough to make Cater a little nervous, even when he's the victim of the described situation and not at all the object of the fae's hatred.]

Yeah, they went after him. [Not that it made Cater feel better. He hadn't cared about revenge; he'd just wanted to distance himself from what had happened.] Silver was insistent on it.

[He turns slightly, even though it's not enough to actually see Lilia.]

I already learned my lesson about trusting others too easily. Now, I just want to move on, you know?

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