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duplicitymemes2024-07-10 07:34 pm
duplicitymods) wrote in duplicitymemes2024-07-10 07:34 pm
Entry tags:
TDM #37
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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. Prepare to sweat. It's fucking hot. |
 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. |
 (cw: dubcon, costumes/uniforms, roleplay, modeling/photography) To fundraise for much needed renovations on the Subway halfway house in the Down, LIEs has decided to put together a pinup calendar featuring LIERs. As a part of Orientation, characters will find themselves forced to dress in different sexy thematic outfits and pose accordingly, depending on what month they are assigned. Not all pinup poses are based on holidays or months. Some characters may instead end up being dressed and posed in sexy, sensual parodies of certain jobs, such as firefighters, nurses, mail carriers, mechanics, etc. Some photos are taken in pairs, so Submissives may find themselves posing as a prop for a Dominant — furniture, pets, something appropriate for their designation… Uncontracted Dominants and Submissives will be given randomized prompts to pose for, alone or as a pair. Those who are contracted aren't off the hook, however; the only thing their status affords them is a choice of what month or prompt they have to strike a pose for. They may also be allowed a more creative role, with Dominants acting as directors for the shot and posing the Submissives. No one is allowed to leave until they've been photographed, so say cheese! |
 (cw: dubcon, food play, exhibitionism, sexual compulsions) A new dessert shop called The Big Lick has opened in Duplicity and partnered with LIEs for a special promotion for all newcomers to enjoy the tasty treats they have to offer. Each Dominant at Orientation will find they've been given two free vouchers, with the stipulation they can only be redeemed for a treat if they take a Submissive along with them to share. New Submissives will find that even without a Dominant they can still get in on a taste of the action by showing up and agreeing to put on a little show with a popsicle or melty cone to promote what's on the menu. What does promoting involve? Well, that's fairly obvious when one enters the shop. A few small elevated circular stages are placed around the establishment where selected Submissives are expected to put on a short show for eager customers. These 'shows' may involve deepthroating a popsicle, licking whipping cream seductively off another's fingers or being hand fed dessert on their hands and knees by eager Dominant customers. While their menu is still being worked on, the specialty items up for order each have their own unique quirks: Twin Pop - A fruity popsicle that must be split with another person. Whoever is left with a smaller side must have the other seat themselves on their lap until they both finish their treat. Eating it too quickly may cause brain freeze, so be careful and savor it slowly! Gelato - A luxurious dessert that makes your partner's lips look and taste irresistible — so irresistible that you can't help but kiss them right there in the middle of the shop. This wouldn't be a problem if the impulse to kiss them again and again would just die down before the gelato melts. Shaved ice - Syrupy shaved ice served with milk and a variety of tropical fruit, this refreshing dessert will cool you down so much that you'll be desperate to share body heat with someone for an hour. |
 (cw: public nudity, exhibitionism) As the summer progresses, the temperature climbs to unprecedented levels of heat. It's bad enough in the Up, but the Down is steadily becoming more and more uncomfortably muggy and humid. To beat the heat, the city has installed temporary water misting stations in the Up along the main city streets and also within squares and North Park. Access and use of these misting stations is completely free and brings much needed relief to those who find themselves out and about during the hottest parts of the day. They spray at random and may catch pedestrians just making their way around the city unawares. Due to leaky pipes and runoff from above, some of this water may make its way into the Down as well to splatter on the heads of its inhabitants at random. The leak above South Park is particularly bad. While addictingly cool and refreshing, this water isn't always your run-of-the-mill H2O. Contact with it may cause individuals to feel like they must strip down to their underwear — or even further. Some may go so far as to partake in exhibitionist acts. This effect will last for a few hours after someone dries off, but will be ongoing while they stay in the spray. |
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 would prefer to cool off with ice cream, they are a Submissive. If your character would prefer to cool off with ice cubes, 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!! |
no subject
It isn't just... all the things I don't know. It's-- [gesturing to the windows] ...all of that [gesturing around him] All of this.
[how to explain it?]
I am not used to... upheaval in my life; I have been in much the same place for years. So now-- so much of it...?
I will find my feet - I think that I have to. But I am still expecting also to find this is a dream. Or to hear there is a mistake.
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I can’t remember the last time my life wasn’t a seriesa crises. I mean, there’s a lotta time on the ship when hardly anythin life-threatenin happens, but it feels like we’re always one step away from disaster anyway. I’d give a lot ta be stuck in one place with just a daily routine.
[McCoy thought that was what he wanted, but he’d been tempered in the fires of adversity and he would never really be able to sit on the sidelines, no matter how much he told himself he would. He’d always be the first to volunteer when a friend was in danger, or a stranger for that matter.]
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Perhaps if I had a more adventurous life I might be able to take this in stride. As it is... I think I shall need time to settle into it.
[if that is even possible. There is a lot for him still to get his head around]
...I am not meant to own things.
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[He frowned a little as he continued the massage, enjoying the contact a lot. McCoy was a huge toucher.]
Ya not meant ta own stuff? Whatcha mean?
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[trailing off into silence with the question, his gaze turned to their hands. Carefully-]
Property is not... meant to own property.
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Linneus? What do ya mean ya property?
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[a little uncertainly, drawing back from where McCoy touched his face]
My master back home is negotiating for my sale.
[his hand remains where it is, though. His other coming to cover McCoy's for good measure]
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He stopped the massage but tightened his hand on the man's wrist, making it a firm hold on Linneus. Finding the words took a while.]
Do ya wanna be owned Linneus? I mean, here ya not someone's property, but if ya'd be happier with a ma-master, I'd be willin ta help ya find a Sub who could fill that need. In private at least. If ya wanted that.
[He almost choked on the word "master" but got it out. None of his issues were with Linneus and he was doing his best not to show anything he was feeling. The man needed support and he'd do whatever Linneus wanted.]
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[dipping his head, a light furrow in his brow as he tries to find the right words.]
I've simply not... known anything else. I was sold to the house when I was a child, and then...
[well. And then-- if there was any means for Linneus not to be owned, he destroyed those himself. Quite ably, with his own decisions.]
I don't believe I-- wish to be owned. I have just never considered otherwise. I mean, it has never been a possibility. And, well--
[he doesn't need to say it again, but gestures briefly about them once more, his hand returning quickly. All this. A lot of interconnecting things, all at once. Freedom, and ownership, and Linneus maybe being able to own things, but also possibly having to own someone else and--]
This is... overwhelming.
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Instead, McCoy listened and chewed his lip, keeping his hands under Linneus’ on his wrist. He had a feeling it was an anchor for the man at the moment.]
Ya got some time ta think Linneus, an I’m more’n happy ta help however I can. Ya got a month ta meet quota, an ya got about three months ta find a contract. It probably ain’t enough, but it’s somethin.
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[if anything, that's the one part of all of this he does have some confidence about. Whatever that implies.
An uncertain chuckle, looking at their hands]
Just-- everything else, I suppose. Now I stop and think about it.
I don't know that I'm... meant for this. [he is reluctant to say the word, but speaks it anyway] Freedom - if this is freedom. I don't know that I'm meant to have things, much less... to take on someone of my own and... and do it right, in this place.
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McCoy made a face at the man’s hair, glad Linneus wasn’t looking at him to see it.]
This ain’t freedom, it’s just a longer leash. But ya got time. Ya got time ta get settled an think about stuff. An mosta the people who come here like us’re good people. I bet ya won’t have any trouble finding someone ya like ta sign with. Ya can structure contracts all kindsa ways.
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[Maybe it doesn't have to be, but it all sounds so terribly formal. He was raised as a servant, he was never meant to deal in contracts...]
But I fear the other side of that is what worries me. I wouldn't wish to take someone on only to find that it is to their detriment. What if I should do something wrong?
[what is someone were to be hurt or punished because of him?]
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small>[Mostly because owning people was wrong. So incredibly wrong. So he did the absolute minimum he could get away with. McCoy's fingers massaged Linneus' wrist again, not even aware he was doing it again.]
Well, ya don't really strike me as the type ta pursue dangerous stuff, but ya not wrong about possibly causing a Sub harm too. I mean, dependin on whatcha did, they might punish any Subs contracted ta ya as parta ya punishment. For people like us, who'd be hurt by seein someone else suffer more'n sufferin ourselves, it's a really useful punishment.
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But I do not wish for anyone to suffer... indignity, under me. [haltingly] I need to find out how I can... protect people.
[saying it feels almost arrogant - as if that is something he can do, with his limited experience. As if he is worthy of someone contracting with.
But there is a small smile at that - 'people like us']
...you observe a lot.
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I'll help ya Linneus. Ya can ask me anythin. An it's kinda habit, the watchin. I promise I don't mean ta spy or nothin. I'm also just really nosy.
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[softly. He doesn't get offers like that often, either.]
I think I shall perhaps start with finding out how to make a cup of tea in this place, and then... [well] And then. I can start finding my way.
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[McCoy smiled at Linneus, more than happy to do whatever the man needed. He liked Linneus, and he just wanted to be helpful.]
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Oh, I would-- really rather make it myself, but... I suppose just this once it shall have to be-- "room service"?
[this, at least, is not a new concept, though he is much less confident with the other the new word-]
Forgive me - "phone"...?
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Hey, hey. We could go shoppin. I don't mind. Ya can learn ya way around some too that way. Would that be ok?
[Oh right. McCoy dug out his device and showed it to Linneus, using his thumb to touch things on the screen.]
This thing. Lotta people call it a phone. I tend ta call it a communicator, but it does a lotta stuff. Happy ta go over mosta the useful things anytime ya want.
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[looking around for his device - withdrawing his hands briefly to pat himself down. Alas, no pockets. A slightly sheepish chuckle]
It is in the other room - I shall have to make sure this doesn't become a theme! But I think I should at least get started settling into- my own home? If it is to be so.
[he stumbles over it just the tiniest amount. It can't be helped, he's not really used to saying he has 'his own' anything.]
Perhaps we can do the shopping another time, though, if you would not object to it? Some supplies will be helpful.
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Don't worry. Lotsa people forget the things pretty regular. An I don't mind leavin ya Linneus. Long's ya sure ya good, I can get outta ya hair.
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[he know that can't really be helped. He also can't help but feel badly about it]
At the very least I shall have to have you for tea once things are settled. You've been very helpful and I fear I've not been able to be much host in return. But for now I should learn about the "phone". And perhaps figure out what I am to do with all of this space...!
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[McCoy patted the man's shoulder again.]
Play with the phone. It's the best way ta learn it really. An get somethin ta eat an drink from room service. I promise they do good food.
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[though perhaps not in the street. The latter... well, Linneus is not the type, but he supposes there must be some like that, or close enough.]
...I shall try it. Thank you, Mr McCoy.
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