duplicitymemes | TDM #4 ( revised )

« « « TEST DRIVE MEME » » »

« « « HERE WE ARE AGAIN

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 L.I.E.S. 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 L.I.E.S. after a year; however, results have remained unsatisfactory and testing still continues.

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 highrise. Here, it is two Dominants per floor with separate apartments. If you enter Duplicity into the Down, congratulations! You’re a Submissive, which means you are directed towards public transportation with the address of the motel you’ll be living in. Here, it is two Submissives per room with a shared common space for all rooms.

Enjoy your free time until orientation! Participation is mandatory by all new and old arrivals.

Oh, and one more thing. It's fucking cold. Better bundle up.

» » » LIES TRAVEL IN COMPANY

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.

« « « END IN THE DISCORD

While the societal climate between Dominants and Submissives remains somewhat neutral throughout Duplicity, there has been the occasional whisper of defiance and call for equality. Yet, demonstrations and visible proof of this unhappiness spreads faster by word of mouth on a day exactly when you need it most.

Welcome to Autonomy, a "traveling" nightclub that is never in the same place twice. People wanting to attend only learn of its lucrative location and password hours before it opens for business. Tonight, I choose the third door will get you inside and into the temporary freedom club Autonomy has to offer. In this circle, there are no assigned designations and no consequences for taking a role that isn't the one given by society. So, a Dominant may become the Submissive they've always wanted to be—or vice versa. Dominants and Submissives alike are able to mingle without repercussion and be themselves. Food, drinks, and private areas for more intimate – or if your preference is sexual – encounters are provided. Donations are accepted at any point during the night to further Autonomy's attempts of spreading the fulfillment that comes from being untitled.

On the night you choose to visit, Autonomy is holding a random lottery for temporary connections. When entering, you have the choice of submitting your name into this drawing to be paired with someone else in the club regardless of designation. A short while later, a message will pop up on your device with the name and information of your partner, and whether or not you choose to meet them is purely at your discretion. Having more than one connection isn't completely unusual either.

» » » TABLE IT FOR LATER

Gratification of being a successful Dominant or Submissive isn't necessarily simple. Learning curves are to be made, and mistakes will happen. Led by a Dominant and Submissive couple – Miriam and Victoria, who have been paired for twenty-two years – a monthly meeting for unattached Dominants and Submissives is held in the conference room of Morning Wood motel in the Down. The meeting starts a few minutes after nine and has no designated end time. The couple introduce themselves and explain the purpose of the meeting: learn the proper method for a new kink and possibly find your perfect partner. The space is intimate and well-stocked with refreshments.

To begin, Victoria, while blindfolded, balances on her hands and knees with her back perfectly level. Her partner, when ready, places various items on the level surface–a full cup, a plate. The Submissive is meant to hold the items until the Dominant believes she's reached her limit. The exercise is one of trust and understanding. The demonstration is a short one, followed by Miriam removing the blindfold and soothing her Submissive. The words are whispered low and with care, clearly a method that is specific to this couple. The process is concluded with the pair handing out workups, videos, and answering questions. Anyone wishing to practice Purposeful Submission can do so in the open room with a random volunteer, aided by the couple, or can find someone to take to one of the rented rooms. Sex may follow any scene but is not necessarily included. Experimenting with unattached Dominants and Submissives allows for new relationships to form.

« « « MOD & OOC NOTES

Please read carefully.

On each Test Drive Meme, there will be a section noting character roles based on birthdays; these will vary each TDM. On an IC level, character will still have gone through the doors but assignments OOCly are still randomized. When applying, there is a section of the application that denotes whether the character chose "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. All characters who have blue eyes or one blue eye and another color are Submissives. All characters who have brown eyes or one brown eye and another color are Dominants. Characters with any other color eyes are Dominants. To use this TDM as a door pass please link this on your app and place whether it is Dominant or Submissive.

Please remember to mark any necessary content, and have fun!!

» » » MAIN NAVIGATION « « «

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Unless it's cursed"? Do I need to ask?

( Ja'far leads them away from the stairs, towards Jun's room. )

Arcana shop. Always a risk that whoever I bought the stock from messed up or something.

That sounds... dangerous.

( He stops them, having found Jun's room. ) Hm. Doesn't look like your roommate is here yet. You must both be new.

That just means I have time to change. Tell me, are a wooden staff, a rose-shaped crystal, and a pile of cloth that looks vaguely like a kimono anywhere in the room?

[Tsuya goes right to his master's belongings, sniffing them over and checking that everything is in one piece.]

I think it was the...gray and dusty red cotton one? I was getting ready to travel, so it wouldn't have been any of my silk ones, sadly.

( Ja'far follows Tsuya, looking over the items carefully before responding. )

Yes, they're all here. They don't look damaged, at least? ( He brings Jun the kimono first, handing over the clothing carefully. )

[Jun takes it and kneels, carefully laying it out on the floor in front of him so he can inspect it more easily.]

Hm. Either they stole my purse or I lost it in whatever magic was used to bring me here.

[That's upsetting. He had a good luck charm from Tetsu in there. He hopes it was just lost in the magic and will show up eventually.]

Everything else seems to be intact, at least. Small miracles.

Most likely they did not allow it through. For whatever reason, most people were limited in what they brought with them, even if they had it on their person at the time they were taken.

( He smiles a little, at least somewhat relieved. ) That's good. Do you need any help with anything? Otherwise I can wait outside while you get dressed.

Just tell me how the hells I get this paper travesty off me, unless ripping it is the fastest way.

Ripping it would be the fastest way, believe me.

Lovely.

[He gathers his kimono to him and stands.]

I may also burn it. Are there rules against that, because I really think I'd like to burn it.

As long as you don't set the place on fire, I won't tell.

( He chuckles, then turns to the door, waiting politely outside. )

What a gentleman.

[And yeah sure enough, there's a ripping sound followed by the occasional crackle of paper burning as Jun changes into his kimono. It perhaps takes a bit longer than it should, but he had to drop his glamour to make sure he was actually okay and that nothing else had happened to him that he had somehow missed in the chaos.

Once he's satisfied and once again looking like a half-elf, he opens the door. There is a pile of ashes behind him that Tsuya is sniffing at.]

Much better, at least until I go crazy without anything else to wear.

( Ja'far looks at the ashes and then chuckles, shaking his head. )

I can see if I can help you buy some clothing later. Sin gave me a shopping pass, which some stores honor to let me shop on my own. Otherwise I need to wait for him to come with me.

Gods, I know I said it earlier but they really are treating people worse than animals here, aren't they?

[Hm. He has a few days before he goes crazy for want of a new kimono, plenty of time to find someone who can make subtle alterations to his clothing for the tails. Hopefully, at least. He's not sure if his usual tactics will work here, and he does not like that.]

They do, unfortunately. We've been trying to do what we can, but it's difficult. The system is designed for people to fail.

[Hmm.]

That's hardly a system at all then. It's just a sick game some people are playing while the rest of us suffer.

Most likely. We've tried, and failed, to get more answers from this place. What we've gotten has been few and far between and hard to come by.

[Either they don't have the answers themselves, or they are very good at not letting a leak happen. Jun's money is on the former, since the latter is only possible in fantasies. Then again, fast moving people tunnels are apparently a thing here, so who knows? He hums, folding his arms.]

And very likely put you on a list.

[He can point that out for free.]

Exactly. You can see why we'd like to avoid suspicion.

Well, I suppose buying an entire building will help with that. They never suspect the ostentatious.

[As he knows from experience.]

Sin's a little hard to miss, honestly, building buying or not. ( He sighs. )

He always manages to get into trouble one way or another.

[Oh boy. Jun just laughs.]

Well, now I have to meet him. He sounds delightful, and clearly a good man if his partner is willing to help a blind stranger.

Don't tell him that, he'll never shut up. ( He's rolling his eyes, thank you very much. )

And it was no problem. Do you need anything else? I don't have anywhere to be today, I can stay here longer if you need me.

Forgive me, but without even having met the man I get the feeling he's the type who never shuts up to begin with.

[Just going by how Ja'far talks about him and his tone.

Also he bought a building. Men like that are not quiet.]

Honestly, I think all I need right now is some decent food, maybe some decent wine, and maybe a bath. Sadly, from what it sounds like, I will get none of those things.

( He snorts. ) You're right, to be fair. He's very good at not shutting up.

I can help with the food and wine, but the bath I'm afraid I can't. I can take you back to the up if you'd like?

(no subject)

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