duplicitymemes | TDM #4 ( revised )

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«tdm

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

[She nods vigorously.]

Of course!

[actually that's probably a decent chunk of how Operators communicate with each other on the job, what with the whole cloud computing thing

In any case, it's a good idea. Saves time and reduces the chance of misunderstandings. 6O kind of wishes she'd thought of it first; another Operator probably would have. 21O, maybe, she's all about efficiency.

(But speaking of data transfers, that reminds her: where's Pod 153? It's not like him to leave her— whoops, it— elsewhere... she's used to seeing 2B and 9S's pods always floating along behind them, even on the Bunker where they're not strictly needed.

Just another item to add to her growing list of questions.)]

Great. You Operators really are set up for data management, aren't you?

_{[Their abilities have always been impressive to 9S at least, especially for someone as nosy as he was. Sure, he was good at collecting data and finding it, but processing large amounts of it was something he wasn't set up to do. Not to the same scale that the Operator units were anyway.]}

It's um...kind of a lot so I'll transfer it over when we're somewhere a bit more comfortable, okay?

_{[It's easier to have an existential crisis when you're already sitting down.]}

It shouldn't be too long of a walk to the elevators that'll take us up to the other city here. _{[Thankfully.]} What were you up to before being reactivated here, 6O?

[After winding up here, 6O has to wonder just how much of her data processing capacity was actually the result of teamwork with the other Operator units. At least it'll get easier as she figures out what she can afford to filter out.]

No problem. You did say it was a long story.

[She winks at him. As always, it doesn't take long for her usual bubbly, optimistic cheer to come back to the forefront, especially with so much to be excited about!

6O falls back a step as they start walking, content to let 9S lead the way since, well, he actually knows where they're going and she really doesn't.]

The usual. When you guys took down that machine, uh, "Eve?", that gave us a lot of work to do.

[Behavior never before seen from the machine lifeforms. New patterns to analyze as they scrambled to fill in the void left by the twin machines that had anchored so much of the network. An awful lot of structural damage that the humans will just have to deal with on that promised day when they get the chance.

Plans for a strike while the enemy was down.

... It's a guilty relief that 9S, at least, apparently won't be there for that. No doubt he'd get sent straight into danger.]

_{[Her wink has him feeling slightly warm under the collar, cheeks tinged pink thanks to the coolant that races to pull pooling heat away. It's...admittedly a little weird to lead, considering he's used to being the one that's the support unit. Weirder still is to just be in this situation period, let alone planetside with an Operator he has a rapport with.

The mention of Eve though has him frowning, the final remnants of the blush she'd instilled within him leaving. That reminds him-]}

Adam's here, by the way. You should be careful around him...not that I need to tell you that. _{[That was sort of common knowledge.]} He's not an immediate threat and the two of us have come to a sort of...understanding if you will. That said, there's no need for you to be hanging around with him.

_{[She needs Adam like she needs a hole in the head.]}

[Once again, he's made her stop and stare. Adam's alive? But according to 2B's report after her retrieval of 9S a little while ago, he'd made sure the machine network couldn't just put him in a new body... he was dead dead. How did he get around that?

She gets a little stuck going over possible scenarios for his revival for a moment and effectively misses the part about them having an "understanding". Heard, but not noted.]

This is a lot to take in, 9S. [She giggles weakly, just to let him know she's not angry, and starts walking again.] You're making my head spin.

S-Sorry, sorry! Augh...you're right I should just-

_{[Shut up, he tells himself. Shut your mouth and just keep it that way until we're back at the apartment.

But he can't manage to be completely silent. It's just not how he functions.]}

I'll be more mindful. Sorry.

[oh noooooo she didn't want him to feel bad! Just to maybe space out the curveballs a teeny tiny bit more?]

No, no, it's okay!

[6O almost runs the words together in her hurry to get them out and smooth things over. She reaches to rest a hand on his shoulder, mostly to comfort him, a little bit to ground and comfort herself.]

Please don't feel bad, I know you're just trying to help!

_{[He can't help it! He's prone to feeling guilty for being well, himself. That's just how Scanners were made. The hand on his shoulder does help though, even though he feels incredibly sheepish at the touch.]}

I know...I just got carried away. _{[When does he ever not though?]} Still, I should know better.

_{[And what do you know? They've reached the elevators. Letting 6O enter first he follows inside after her, making sure everything seems to be in working order before they start their ascent. A ding signals their eventual arrival, doors opening up to present to 6O a much nicer cityscape than the one they had just been in before.]}

It's not far from here now. Just a short walk away.

[It's a long ride to the Up, and it feels somehow longer to 6O than what her software clock tells her it should. If 9S doesn't try to start a conversation then she'll slip into a contemplative silence for the duration while she tries to process the shocks of the last day.

She hopes he knows she's grateful for his presence anyway.]

It's gorgeous.

[is the first thing she says on stepping out of the elevator. It's one thing to see the Up from a train, but quite another to be standing there on one's own two feet. 6O finds her eyes drawn upward to the heavens- clear for now, seemingly endless blue. So this is what the sky looks like through an actual planetside atmosphere...]

It's a lot, huh?

_{[He can't help but smile at her reaction, knowing all too well what she must be feeling at the sight of it all. He had a similar experience himself, when he'd first set his eyes on the Up. He can only imagine it being that much more for her. This is her first time on a planet, after all. The weather seems to be cooperating too, the chill of winter aside, and so with a gentle touch of gloved fingers to an elbow, he moves to nudge her into following with him.]}

If you think that's pretty just wait until you see a sunset.

_{[Or sunrise. Both were equally impressive and two experiences he and A2 had enjoyed together. Hopefully he'd get the chance to share it with 6O.

His and A2's place is just a few blocks away, just like he'd promised, and the whole time he's careful to keep his head down while keeping an eye on her. As strange as his Scanner getup seemed to some people here, for the most part wearing it was an advantage. The blindfold and collar around his neck were seen as positive things for a submissive to voluntarily wear, and so he opts to wear them when he goes outside. If it's seen as pleasing to the populace of this place (not to mention what he's used to) then why not keep it up?

The last thing either of them need right now is trouble, and thankfully they don't run into any of it.

Opening the door to the lobby he lets her in first, then it's up another set of elevators before they arrive right outside the flat he's been living. Nervously he unlocks it, making sure to take off his boots once he's inside. Then off come the gloves and the visor pre-preemptively. A2 hates when he wears it at home, and so he's taken to not doing so. That means 9S' pretty blues are on display as he pockets the HUD and turns back to face 6O.]}

Well, um, this is it! It's nothing fancy but it's pretty nice? I've a room and so does A2, and there's a sitting room just off to the left. Oh! And the kitchen down that way, along with the bathroom. You're free to explore if you want or I can show you around? A2 isn't home yet so...

_{[So they've both a little more time to get settled, thankfully.]}

The sun sets?

[Isn't Earth tidally locked, though? Seriously, she's going to have to start making an actual list of questions. Pull up whatever their OS's version of Notepad is and begin putting this stuff down somewhere until she has time to grill him about it properly.

6O looks quite the opposite role to him on their way back with her head held high, the fall of her veil obscuring her submissive mark. Nothing that would immediately strike the locals as an unsuitable companion to a blindfolded sub, and so they don't give her a lot of second glances on the way to the flat. Not that she'd notice- she only has eyes for their lovely surroundings (and 9S's position, naturally.)

Once they get there, she takes him removing his visor as a cue to reach up and unfasten her veil, though it seems a little strange to do so. There's no reason to take either thing off? His boots coming off makes more sense. The Down is a far cry from the sterile, monochrome corridors of the Bunker.]

Is it okay if I just leave my shoes on for now? It's just, you know... [they're a little less quick to get on and off, being so high.]

Oh yeah, it's fine. I mean, A2 doesn't usually take off her shoes.

_{[Much to his disdain.]}

I'll clean up whatever mess is left later or Pascal will get it. Oh-! That's right! Hey Pascal!

_{[There's a sudden beeping that comes from the other room, the sound of motored whirring coming closer. Soon enough a Roomba will roll into view and beep up at 6O excitedly. Even though it's a series of beeps, it'll be automatically understandable to the two of them, since 9S programmed it. Essentially it's saying hello, in a very R2D2-like fashion.]}

I modified him and gave him basic AI so he could perform his job better. He's a little man made machine that was here when A2 and I arrived, but apparently they're mass produced here as floor cleaners. He does a pretty good job. Cute, huh?

Edited 2019-01-12 18:18 (UTC)

[The noise 6O just made is close to being audible only to dogs and androids.]

Aww, look at you! You're so little-!

[She crouches down, not a small feat in those heels, to get a better look at the round little robot. Curious, she sticks her hand out to touch the top of its casing.]

So your name's Pascal, huh? I'm 6O, nice to meet you!

_{[Yep that's...that's sure a reaction, one he can't fault her for having. Pascal's cute and he's done a good job at modifying the simple machine so far. It beeps back at her, sharing the same sentiment, recording her face and voice for future recognition.]}

If you crush up crackers and let it suck up the crumbs it gets really excited.

_{[Yes. A2 and 9S feed their roomba, don't @ them.]}

I guess it likes its job.

[And what more can a little machine ask for than to get excited about performing its function, really. Cute... 6O gives it a little pat on the top before she stands up. 9S invited her to explore, so it's time to explore!

The living room is the obvious place to go first. She heads that way, and makes a delighted sound as she spots the aquarium.]

That's so cool! Did you catch these, 9S?

Oh! You found the fish tank. It's really cool, right?

_{[He's grinning now, eagerly joining her side, pointing at the various fish behind the glass.]}

I didn't catch them, but A2 and I bought them. There are stores here that sell fish and other aquatic animals. A lot of research was put into the setup 6O, but I think it worked out well.

_{[And then because he knows she'll say yes he offers:]}

Wanna try feeding them?

And you did all the research yourself, right?

[That's so cute and soooo 9S. Seriously, though, it's a good topic he can't possibly get in trouble for, very good, 6O approves.

And damn right she'll say yes. She claps her hands together excitedly before he's even finished his sentence.]

That sounds great!

Sure did. A2 didn't want to bother looking things up sooo the task was left to me.

_{[He does sound a bit proud of their combined accomplishment though. Catching fish was one thing, but keeping something alive? That's a lot harder.

Let's just say 9S has grown pretty fond over their fish.]}

Here, take this. _{[He hands over the container of pellets, bare fingertips touching hers as they make the transfer.]} If you give it exactly three shakes it should be enough food. I haven't fed them today so it'll be fine.

Edited 2019-01-13 03:30 (UTC)

[There's a little skip in her pulse, just enough to register on her sensors, when his hand brushes hers. She still has her own gloves on, but her fellow units go without them so infrequently that touching someone's bare hand feels a little special.]

Three shakes. Got it.

[shake-shake-shake... She passes the container back to him and watches, fascinated, as the first fish come to investigate.]

_{[If he knew what she was thinking he'd honestly agree - being able to touch another unit's bare hands is, well...amazing. He gets it, really he does. If anything though, he'd probably have his own pulse skipping if he knew he'd caused such a reaction in her.

She does exactly what she's told to the mark and 9S can't help but smile softly at her while taking in her expression. It's rare to see an Operator without their veil and the rumors among other units are that they have the prettiest smiles. At least that's what circulates among his fellow Scanners. They're a gossipy bunch.]}

Perfect. Just like that. See? They love it! Thanks 6O.

[6O would argue combat units can actually have the most beautiful smiles, despite their visors... but she's also very, very biased. In any case, she's beaming now, radiating pride and excitement over the feasting fish.]

Thank you, 9S. [She looks at him and her smile turns a little softer. What a cutie! He should leave his visor off more often, she thinks. It's a shame to hide eyes like those. When it wouldn't affect mission efficiency, of course.]

Sooooo... what do you want to show me next?

I wanna transfer you the data, if that's all right with you now.

_{[Straightening he gestures to the sofa not far from the tank. It's deliberately put there so one can sit and watch the fish. He does this a lot now, in a bid to keep himself calm. It works, most of the time.

Hopefully they'd do the same for 6O after the bombshell he was going to drop on her.]}

Get comfortable, you're going to want to.

Okay...

[That's... mildly ominous, but okay. She settles onto the sofa, taking a moment to poke at the cushion. Nice. Soft seats weren't exactly everywhere back home. When she's gotten comfy, she pats the spot next to her.]

Ready when you are. [she says confidently, being a sweet summer child who has no idea what she's in for.]

_{[He's going to ruin her and he knows it, but it's better to not remain ignorant in this place. She should know what he knows, at least about A2, especially if he's going to try and suggest what he's going to suggest to her after all this is said and done.

Joining her on the couch he lets out a sigh, venting hot air in the process. Unlike when he interfaces with Connor there's no need to reach out and hold her hand but...it seems like a good idea. So, he does just that, gingerly taking her gloved fingers into his own. It's then that the connection is open, that he removes the permissions and restrictions on his memory bank to transfer her a specific memory in particular.

The scene plays out, the two androids on their first day of arrival, squabbling in the back of a cab, only to come to an understanding between one another thanks to the revelations shared. It's all there for 6O to take and digest at her own pace, and he knows it might take some time. It's only when he's sure it's completely uploaded that he speaks, casting a glance her way to make sure she's okay.

He doesn't expect her to be.]}

6O...?

[The prototypes, built to die. A backdoor into the Bunker. The Council of Humanity— no, no, no. She can't know this. 9S can't know this—does he know how much danger he's in? They can't know this. They can't know this. She wants to pack it into a little ball and bury it deep, encrypted and walled off somewhere in her memory banks where she can pretend she never heard a thing. Where she never has to consider it, even though connecting the dots is exactly what her analyst's brain was built for.

She feels a little bit like she's going to just shut down here.]

9S.

[She grips his hand tightly, and her voice sounds terrified.]

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