duplicitymemes | TDM #4 ( revised )

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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 « « «

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[ thank the gods for someone familiar, someone he cares about. he thought-- well, he was a little nervous that he'd just have to manage on his own. and while he was prepared to do so, it's still such a relief not to have to.

still, he yelps a little as he's pulled into a hug that nearly lifts him off his feet. it only takes a moment for him to return it, though, arms sliding around julian in turn as he laughs breathlessly. ]

You're certainly taking this well, [ he manages as he leans back in the circle of the redhead's arms, his own palms coming to rest on julian's biceps as he peers up at him. when he notices the submissive mark, he hesitates, then reaches up, touching it gently. ] .. I see they made you a submissive. [ a slightly wry arch of his brows follows the statement. if it didn't also include second-class accommodations and treatment, that'd be almost ideal for julian, wouldn't it? ]

Ah. Well. When in Vesuvia, as they say. Only this...isn't. Hah.

[He lifts broad shoulders in a shrug, smiles almost apologetically, and of course makes no mention of all the darker concerns that move through him, the confusion and conflicted feelings he's felt since his arrival. There's no need to allow his own concerns to spill out onto anyone else, least of all Thistle. But then the magician is reaching up to touch his mark and whilst he tilts his chin obligingly, the tips of his ears begin to colour, just slightly.]

Seems that way, doesn't it.

[He says, catching the wryness in the other man's expression, and the truth of it is even the second-class treatment doesn't bother him as much as perhaps it should. Being the kind of man he is, instead it seems somehow fitting.]

[ very much not vesuvia, though he wishes it was. they have something important to do back home-- and perhaps more importantly, this place is sounding worse and worse the more he hears about it.

julian being forced to live down here, to be treated as if he doesn't matter, is maybe the worst thing he's heard so far. ]

I want you to come with me to the apartment they gave me, [ he says without any further consideration. nothing else really matters except this: it's julian, and he's.. going to protect him. even from himself if necessary. ] It's-- I'm in the Up, I'm a dominant. If you-- You can contract with me. If you want. [ a flustered pause, because he can't believe he's saying this, can't believe that this is where his life currently is, but he doesn't take it back, either.

he takes a careful breath, reaches up to cup the doctor's face, pale eyes searching silvery-blue. ] That is, I'd like it if you would. I'd be honored. Obviously you don't-- Don't feel pressured, just.. give it some thought? [ he guesses? ]

[Something important to do certainly, and time spent here seems like time wasted, he'd been right in the middle of it, awaiting the gallows with cold creeping dread but also with determination because he'd been fairly sure of what he had to do. Some of the jittering urgency of all that leaves him on finding the magician here with him, though it doesn't abate entirely-- there's still the city to think of, and everyone in it.

For now though, such things are forgotten in the wake of the other man's words, the magician's flustered demeanor as he makes his proposition only leaving Julian flustered in turn, the colour that had begun to creep into him spreading like blood through water. Thistle's hands find his face and he leans readily enough into that touch but--]

I uh...look, don't feel like you have to, on my account. I mean, of course I'd um, of course I'd like that but. I'd be all right on my own.

[They both know that's a lie.]

[ it's too loud here and there's too much going on, and it has thistle's nerves on edge. he's overstimulated and disturbed and uncomfortable, and he hates that those are the emotions dominating him while he's asking this very important, maybe life-changing thing of julian. he wants this to be a positive thing, because julian is important to him, but he can't seem to push the tension out of his shoulders or smooth the line between his brows.

he takes a deep breath, releases it carefully, and his hands slide down to the older man's, squeezing them once. he uses his grip on them to gently draw him away from the bar. if the doctor lets him, he'll take him outside entirely, where it's quiet. ]

Are you saying that of course you'd like that because you think that's what I want to hear, or are you saying of course you'd like that because.. you'd really like that? [ not for the first time, he curses his white skin, which is starting to flush over the course of this conversation. gods! sex and romance are one thing, but-- this is something else entirely. something he was expecting to have more time to consider, to decide his thoughts on.

and then finally his expression twists into wry, fond amusement. ] If there's anything that I know about you, Doctor Julian Devorak, it's that when left to your own devices, you wind up.. crashing theater troupes and-- and dueling pirates and all sorts of mischief.

[Whilst he really had been hoping to get that drink, for the moment the desire to drown his sorrows at the bottom of a tankard of some nefarious liquid has been sublimated by the other man's presence, by the relief he feels in finding him here and - yes by the weight of their current conversation. As such he allows himself to be led by the hand, back through the bustle and noise of the bar, makes no complaint as Thistle leads them outside and into the relative quiet of the evening.

He asks his question, and Julian's face flushes hot because this is something he can usually circle around, something that can be communicated with subtlety or disguised behind innuendo but has never been quite so overtly attended to as Thistle's question is asking of him, now. And so he clears his throat, goes for the easy option first, responds to the other man's wry teasing with a tease of his own.]

You have to admit I'm an interesting sort to keep around.

[The arch of his brow is suggestive, the shape of his mouth all flirt.

He can't avoid the crux of the matter indefinitely though, can he. And so after a moment of uncomfortable shifting, he cuts down to it.]

And I, ah...that is, I would like it. I'd like it very much. I'm just not so sure it's the best thing for you. You know, better options, and all that. Options that are a bit less of a liability.

[ he certainly is interesting to have around, interesting to be near. julian's led a fascinating life full of adventure and danger, and it's breathtaking sometimes to hear him talk about it. atop all of that, he's a doctor, he's incredibly intelligent and funny, and he's beautiful.

which is why he's sure his expression conveys an impressive amount of disbelief. ]

Julian-- [ right. ] First of all, I'm a grown man that can make informed decisions for myself, and if I really considered you in terms like that, I wouldn't have offered. I'm not a-- a-- a martyr, after all. [ though he supposes the events leading up to his death do mean he's not opposed to self-sacrifice when necessary, but the look in pale pink eyes dares julian to mention it.

he lifts gloved hands, dropping a quick kiss to the backs of long fingers. ] That's not the sorts of terms I use when I think about you, though. You're a good man, and you're sweet and kind and earnest. You're one of the most interesting people I've ever met. And I'd.. [ he trails off, face feeling warm, but he steels himself and stands straighter, lifting his chin. ] I'd like to.. be your dominant. [ oh gods. ]

[Not a Martyr after all-- he sees the weighty look and quite sensibly says nothing, teeth pressed to lower lip and slate-blue eye shifting from Thistle's gaze down to the ground. It's not something he'd want to bring up besides-- he still carries at least part of the blame on his shoulders (and shouldering blame is what he does, isn't it?), should have noticed sooner, should have left space within the single-minded fixation that had consumed him to make time to check on those who were under his care.

But that was then, and this is now, and he feels both vaguely thrilled and chastened as the other man keeps talking-- maybe its what he's needed all along, someone who, when pushed, pushes back. Stands their ground. Overtly challenges the constant self-depreciation.

Overtly flustered now, he keeps his gaze locked on the ground, laughs quietly.]

It's turning out to be a very intense sort of day, isn't it? I doubt you woke up this morning thinking you'd be saying that.

[Because when in doubt, resort to bravado. Even if its the warm-edged kind, the kind that holds sincerity underneath. Fingers curling around Thistle's, he squeezes his hand gently.]

One more interesting thing to add to the list.

Very intense, [ he agrees with a slightly overwhelmed sigh. ] And no, it.. certainly wasn't at the top of my list of things that needed doing.

[ he hesitates, then carefully tightens his hand with julian's again, tugging him once to urge him to walk with him. he eases into his side as they head down the sidewalk, and if julian lets him, he'll move them in the direction of the elevator to the up. ]

I really do want you to stay tonight, though. It.. would be nice not to be alone here. [ and it'll give them time to talk and decide things, maybe look for anyone else they know. it'll also give thistle an opportunity to put a spell or two together to help him keep an eye on the redhead. ]

[One tug is all it takes to get the doctor moving-- despite that he's quite the extrovert himself, he isn't blind to the magician's opposing need for quiet spaces, for moments of relative calm. And so he comes along easily enough, and when he feels the slight pressure of the younger man against his side he relinquishes his hold on his hand, only to sling one long arm casually about his shoulders instead.

It's...grounding, to have him here. Takes some of the edge off all the strangeness, the sudden plunge into something so far removed from the situation he'd been in just a few scant hours before. And whilst he elevator gives him pause (reasons, dark memories, though this really is quite different) he steps inside anyway, releases Thistle, leans back loose and boneless against one wall.]

Far be it from me to deny my dominant the pleasure of the company of his submissive.

[He says it with a lewd lift of an eyebrow, the wink of his one good eye which...is a slightly comical sight from someone wearing an eyepatch.]

In all serious though...it would be nice. Not to be alone, um, in a strange place. And all that.

[ he nearly flushes again at the teasing comment, and it takes sheer willpower to keep it from showing. gods, he's going to be julian's dominant. julian is going to be his submissive. and though technically they're just words, it's just a role they have to fulfill to live here, he knows that the words have weight when they apply to julian. he is submissive, and he craves dominance, and while thistle had noted it, he's never acknowledged it quite this way.

he steps forward, his palms sliding to cup julian's waist, then skim upward to rest at the base of his ribs. ]

If that's the case, if you're going to be mine, then I suppose.. you should just stay with me, shouldn't you? [ one of his hands reaches up, winds itself in julian's collar, urges him down. when they're nearly face-to-face, he leans up, brushing a chaste kiss across the corner of his mouth. ] Not just tonight, but.. every night.

[Ribs that expand and contract just a little more rapidly than they should as he softens beneath the pass of the other man's hands, breath growing that more shallow and rapid still in the wake of the words that leave Thistle's lips. If you're going to be mine, he says, and unlike the younger man Julian is unable to keep the the heat from once again visibly rising in his face.

Because he likes that, he does, wants it with a startling urgency. All of this, ending up in this alien place in a way that could never have been predicted, the confusion and alarm it has caused-- despite all of it, there's something in it that significantly appeals to the likes of him. And to have it offered to him now by someone he knows and likes and yes wants, well. He can't bring himself to regret it.

And so he allows himself to be dragged down to stooping in order to receive the kiss, and when the brush of the magician's lips leaves him, he bites his lip, quite flustered.]

I uh, well yes. I suppose, really, I should.

[ as always, that little bite of his lip makes something in thistle sit up and take notice, the sleepy sexual part of him waking by degrees. ] You really should, [ he agrees, pointless because they both know that it's already decided. for as long as they're both here together, for as long as julian wants it.

he leans into the long line of his body, lips curved in a smile that's one part sweet and indulgent and the other wicked. maybe he'd even learned it from julian. ]

I'm very lucky, [ he says, just above a murmur, ] to have such a good, obedient submissive. [ it's exactly the sort of language that he'd never expected himself to have to learn or use, but well.. when in prakra.. and he knows that julian reacts to it, and if julian loves it, thistle is happy to use it. ]

[It's the kind of smile that may have drawn an answering expression from Julian, something bright and devious and full of promises, eyebrows arching high. May have done, but it's hard to keep up the tease and the banter in the wake of such words as those, because the fact is they are the kinds of words he wants ( even needs) to hear. Words that have him moving to wrap long and slender arms around the body pressed against him now, pressed close enough to feel the bright beating of his heart like the wings of a bird caught in the cage of his ribs.

And they're true enough words-- there will be no fear of Julian's mark ever being anything but deepest black, because the fact is he lends himself to this role so perfectly it's as though it had been made for him. When his answer comes, his voice is a little heady, a little thick, visible eye heavy-lidded.]

Quite lucky, I should think, to have a submissive so willing to kneel at your feet.

[ his own heart flutters unsteadily as those arms slide around him, feeling comforted and safe for the first time in.. a while, really. it's funny, isn't it? thistle intends to provide julian with the structure and dominance he craves, protection from this world and the people in it, but in turn.. in turn, julian gives him so much more, and has almost from the start.

he noses into the broad chest with a hum of satisfaction, fingers curling in fabric, flexing with promise. ] I guess such good behavior is going to deserve rewarding, hm? [ he glances up at him from where he's tucked in against julian, glasses a little crooked on his face, pale eyes bright behind them. ] We'll just have to see how you perform at home.

[ the elevator stops, opens, and thistle (very) reluctantly draws back from the older man, lacing his fingers together with julian's again as they exit. ]

[There is bright hot promise in those words, in the pressure of fingers against the fabric of his clothes, and already he's thinking about how much better they would feel pressed to bare flesh, nails scraping sharp over skin--

--but the lift comes to a halt, Thistle unwinds himself from him, and with equal reluctance the doctor lets his arms fall loose at his sides, makes a soft low sound caught somewhere between complaint and anticipation. Long fingers fold against the smaller hand laced with his, and he steps out of the lift just a short pace behind him, into the glittering city of the Up.

He'd seen it on the tour, of course, but the contrast with the part of the city to which he has been relegated is still a startling thing, and startling even outside of that, with buildings here that would easily dwarf the palace at Vesuvia, cast high against the cold winter sky.

But these are things he only pays marginal attention to, for the moment. Mind caught up in other things.]

So then, how far is your new abode from here?

[A good submissive, perhaps, but a little impatient.]

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TDM #4 ( revised )

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