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 « « «

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

_{[A2's apology reaches 9S' ears and he almost looks back to her for it, but his attention is on 6O still and unfortunately, her request is something he'll have to deny, at least somewhat. He shakes his head sadly, still gripping her hands.]}

You can't leave but...you can go rest in my room, if that's all right? Take some time and process it all and then the three of us can sit down properly and talk.

_{[She told him not to cry but it's impossible not to. His cheeks are damp despite himself.]}

I'll take you there, okay?

Edited 2019-01-13 07:58 (UTC)

[6O forces herself to look past 9S and meet the Attacker unit's eyes. She's not sure how she feels about it, but she'll at least listen to her apology.]

I would never hurt him.

[Her tone is flat. Drained. Completely unlike her usual self. She's better off than she was before 9S's hacking, but a long way from 100%. It's all the acknowledgment she can afford to give A2 right now.

Focusing on 9S again, she frowns at his denial but doesn't argue. Anywhere in this apartment is closer to A2 than she'd like, but it's better than nothing. Her temporary accommodations in the Down are an awfully long way away in this state, anyway--she'll see the sense in it later.]

Okay.

[Well... What does that leave for her to do then? A2 looks helpless between 6O and 9S, knowing full well that any attempts to help would likely be met with less than pleasant reactions. Instead, she just steps back to watch.

... Though if 9S struggles, A2 will absolutely swoop in to help.]

_{[9S feels like shit. This whole encounter? This clash? It's ultimately his fault. Sure, it's one giant misunderstanding, but that doesn't excuse what had happened. Swallowing when he doesn't need to, the reaction one born out of pure anxiety, 9S moves to scoop 6O up in his arms.

She's under the weight limit that he's capable of lifting and so he manages to get her up and take her to his room. Nudging the door open he steps inside his bedroom, laying her down on the mattress a moment later.]}

I'm...I'm really sorry 6O. I promise this was one big misunderstanding. I...I'll leave you now to rest. I'll come back and check on you in an hour.

_{[With that he leaves her, setting an internal counter so he can come back within the hour like he promised.]}

[6O offers him a shaky smile as he scoops her up. He meant well, and she wants him to know she knows that. She won't hold this against him. Against A2, well... they'll have to see.

He lowers her onto the bed, and she mumbles words of gratitude.]

'Kay. Thanks. See you soon.

[Blankets are unnecessary when she produces more than enough heat on her own, but they look soft and she reaches for one anyway. Pulling it tight around herself, she tucks her limbs up and curls into a huddled ball on the bed. All there is now is to power down systems she won'tbe using for a bit--leaving just enough of her sensory processes online to let 9S get her attention--and dive into her own head.]

_{[Gently 9S closes the door to his room behind himself, taking one or two steps forward before he finds it hard to keep himself upright. Against the wall he leans to his left, slowly sliding down it until he finds himself on the floor, holding his head in his hands.

Everything that just happened...it had all happened so fast and could've ended so badly. Thankfully, it hadn't, but 9S' skin is still tingling, his own vitals unstable as internal warning tell him to err on the side of caution, to not stress himself out any further.

All he needs is a minute to himself, a minute to clear his own mind and focus. A real disaster, a real tragedy had been avoided...he just hopes he can keep it that way.]}

[A2, of course, simply lets everything happen. 9S trusts this unit. That's what she has to tell herself, even though her own fear is real over... everything, honestly. What if this is some trick? What if 9S is falling into a trap and she'll be too late to save him?

This isn't Earth, at least, not as they know it.

There's no command or bunker anymore, and realistically, she knows this unit is dead, but...

A2 keeps her eyes on 9S, though she's not going to get close to him. He needs space, right?]

_{[He takes exactly one more minute to compose himself before he finally stands, shoulders feeling incredibly heavy. It's as if he's become fully aware of the full weight of his body and his frame doesn't want to support it. In all honesty he can't blame A2 for the way she responded, not after seeing the fear that was on her face. He expected there'd probably be an altercation of some sort, but not for A2 to outright go for 6O's throat.

Ultimately, this mixup is his fault, and the guilt he feels is suffocating.]}

I tried to give you a heads up but...I guess it wasn't timely enough. I'm sorry this happened.

_{[Because he knows that she did what she did to protect him.]}

I'm.. I really am sorry. I don't know what I'd do if you got hurt. [Is A2's only quiet admission as she continues watching him, not really knowing where she should be placing herself, so she continues keeping the distance.]

I.. Are you really sure about her, 9S? [There's a vulnerability in A2's voice that 9S will have never heard before, she's almost pleading with him, in a way. Having another YoRHa unit here is dangerous. For both of them.]

_{[I don't know what I'd do if you got hurt.

It's a distance that he decides to close then, initially hesitant steps becoming confident. As soon as he's in front of her he's reaching for a hand, gripping skinless fingers with plush digits. This is because of him, this happened all because of him...but he'll take that responsibility, even if it means letting that guilt he feels right now eat away at him.

The way she speaks to him holds colors he didn't think he'd ever hear in her voice. She's conceding to him, wary - afraid. If he was in her position, if he had experienced everything she had, wouldn't he hold the same fears? Wouldn't he feel the same way?

He squeezes her hand tighter, making sure their eyes connect.]}

I'm certain. I may be an idiot sometimes but please, trust me when I say 6O isn't a threat. She's an Operator, one that wouldn't hurt a fly. I won't let myself get hurt, I promise.

_{[After all, if anyone's tired of him dying it's him.]}

[It doesn't really ease her fears, the way he speaks. It's not for his lack of trying, though. It's.. her own issues. She knows that. She knows perfectly well that she's been broken in more than just a physical way. It's hard to trust, even though she so desperately wants to. So desperately wants to make friends, even in this place, which pits her against those she has an innate loyalty for.

His hands are warm in her own.

It's comforting.]

Why did you bring her here, 9S? [She has to know. There must have been a reason for it.]

I want you to contract her.

_{[He might as well just come out and say it. There's no beating around the bush when it comes to this.]}

There isn't a human here that I trust enough to have her live under their care and she's too gullible. The likelihood of her making a bad choice, well, the possibility is there. Even though we're not close she's always been kind to me.

_{[She's one of the few that never told him to stop feeling what he felt.]}

[She sighs in response to his request, but nods all the same. If this is what he wants, if this is what he thinks will help...]

If she's alright with it, then I don't mind. Even if she is YoRHa, she doesn't deserve someone taking advantage of her, just like you said.

_{[There's a sigh, one of hot air that's vented past his lips. Well, that's part of this whole clusterfuck out of the way.]}

Thank you. Seriously, thank you.

Don't thank me just yet. You still have to convince her to do it.

I'm sure I can manage that. Before you walked in I was transferring her data to help do just that.

_{[To wake her up to what had been happening to them all along.]}

... You do what you think is best. [She doesn't like it. How exactly was the android supposed to just... Live? Knowing what they knew? It was hard enough for A2, harder for 9S... And now? And now, having a third android in on the state of things?

A2 isn't sure she agrees with it.]

I will.

_{[It's a necessary sort of evil, if you will, and one he's willing to use if the end result seems worth it. (It does.)]}

I'm going to give her an hour to calm down and process everything before going back in there.

I'll stay in the living room then. It's probably best if you talk to her first when she's awake. Probably doesn't want to see my ugly mug after what I did to her anyway.

_{[All he feels he can do is give her hand another squeeze before finally letting go, watching as A2 retreats back to the living room. It's during the span of the hour he allots for 6O to rest that he prepares something small for her. He's managed to boil water in the kettle and make a cup of tea (which he added milk and honey to) and has one of the chocolate bars he'd stolen from a vending machine in his pocket. Counting down the seconds he opens the door to his room exactly to the hour. She seems to have bundled herself up in his blankets which is...pretty cute. He doesn't blame her - he likes to do the same.]}

...Hey 6O?

[Her low-power rest passed into full sleep at some point during that hour. Once she'd sorted out the most pressing thoughts, and bundled certain data safely away where it can't hurt anybody, it just... seemed like a good idea. Go into suspension for a while and let her processors properly rest. She hasn't really done so since she got here and that's probably half the problem.

She made sure she'd get a ping if 9S spoke in her vicinity, though. There's no apparent response at first, just a long pause as she comes back online.]

9S...?

[she mumbles, opening her eyes]

Hey.

_{[He says again, voice still soft as he approaches. Gently he lowers himself onto the edge of the mattress, turning his torso to face her. Carefully he holds the mug of tea in hand, waiting for her to sit up before offering it to her.]}

Um...I made you some tea. It's good, I promise. It'll help.

_{[Ah, he's going to start rambling now isn't he? Yep.]}

I put honey and milk in it for you. Honey's really sweet. Bees make it from flowers - but you probably knew that already since you like flowers so much...

[6O blinks a few times, then rubs her hand over her eyes to clear away the last uncomfortable traces of dried tears. She brings her cocoon of blankets with her when she sits up, only sticking one arm out of it so she can take the mug. The warmth of it takes her by surprise—this must be one of those beverages humans liked to take hot. It feels kind of soothing.]

Bees... those are a kind of insect, right? I think I read about them somewhere.

[She's content to just listen without rummaging for the memory right now. Let 9S ramble if he wants to!]

Yep, you got it. They're yellow with black stripes and they're fuzzy. They also have stingers, but usually will only sting in self defense.

_{[Rambling due to insecurities and anxiety is go!]}

They live in hives and live in a hierarchical society, with one queen who lays eggs and reproduces and the rest are her workers who make the colony function. They're pretty cute. Some of them are really round looking, like bumble bees.

_{[Those are 9S' favourite.]}

Heh, so a bee hive is kind of like YoRHa... [Please never tell the Commander that 6O just compared her to a queen bee. Even though she's not entirely wrong.]

"Bumble bees." That even sounds cute. [6O lifts the mug to her lips and lets the rising steam tickle her nose. Curious, she breathes it in.] This smells really nice.

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