duplicitymemes | TDM #46

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«tdm

TDM #46

« « « TEST DRIVE MEME » » »

« « « ALL ON DISPLAY

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.

The first hints of winter start to trickle in. Cold breezes, rain and thunder, small storms as the weather continues to turn from Fall to Winter. Time to cozy up with a nice warm drink and a cozy partner!

» » » ALL ABOARD

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.

« « « PLAY NICE

(cw: pet play, biting, collaring, leashing, people in cages, roleplay)

The weather is cold, chilling. As Orientation rolls around, everyone is urged to make their way to the Orientation Center as usual, both new and old arrivals! This time, LIEs staff have a large room set up for all to explore, with many roles for each participant to try playing. Instruction is provided briefly, but LIEs staff encourages attendees to experience everything on their own, rather than asking for instructions! Of course, they’ll be there if you need help. Give them a holler if you can’t figure out where to start or get stuck along the way!

Several rows of kennels line one wall. Tables have sets of items for each pair (or trio!) to use and enjoy. These items include: collars, leashes, ball gags, muzzles, butt plug tails of different sizes and shapes, animal ear clips and headbands, masks with different animal face shapes, and all sorts of sex toys and non-sex toys.

Orientation isn’t over until partner(s) fully embrace their roles! What roles are those? Well…

There are four total roles that are semi-standard to pet play. Participants are free to make up their own roles, or fall in line with one of the offered ones. Both Dominants and Submissives are encouraged to try multiple roles, with multiple partners!

A Subservient Pet is someone who offers themselves up completely to their role of the pet, following orders easily and with joy.

A Naughty Pet is someone who might follow some of the rules, while ignoring others or acting out to taunt their Owner or Trainer. Bite and make noise, disobey orders directly…. Try not to get punished, push their buttons until they can’t take it anymore.

An Owner/Handler is someone who is “in charge” of their pet. They take on a more domineering role, exerting control over their pet and the situation completely. The Owner should punish any misbehavior of their pet, whether that requires putting them in their kennel or teasing them.

A Trainer is similar to an Owner, except they must have even more control over their pet. Use restraints to keep your pet on all fours, or gag them to keep them quiet, or maybe even muzzle them to keep them from biting too much.

Want to watch, instead of play? Dominants are also encouraged to watch over a Submissive who's learning the ropes of any role, to give them tips and help them play it out properly. Have fun!

» » » WORKS OF ART

(cw: stuckage, compulsions, noncon/dubcon themes, public sexual activity)

Winter is in full swing in Duplicity! Most years a harsh snowstorm blows in, chilling the city and all of its residents down to the bone. This year is no different. The snow has settled upon the ground, keeping a firm chill in the air.

To celebrate the frigid season, there’s an exhibit in North Park. Art, they say. Sculptures. Rumors float through the wind, whispers about them passed between people on the street. The beauty of it is something that all must see!

The exhibit itself is simple, even if it seems to defy explanation. At the center of North Park, there appears to be a maze made of solid ice, thick and opaque. Inside, and throughout the maze, are different sets of sculptures. The bust of a woman, the form of a worn and calloused hand, a set of swans; all of the typical sculptures one might expect from an exhibit like this. The further visitors head in, though, things begin to change.

Deep inside, one will find people, stuck and rendered immobile by the ice that formed around them. Their clothes are nowhere to be seen. Their faces, too, hidden. The positions they’re in are different for each. Some might have their fronts facing the inner part of the maze, legs spread ready to be pleased by anyone who walks by. Or, others might be positioned in such a way that they seem like they’re bent over something, hips up and prepared to receive.

These people? They’re LIERs, those who wandered through the maze and could not find its exit. Trapped in its icy walls, they will find themselves overcome by a chill they can't shake, and a desire to beg and plead to be used, and heated up by the warmth of anyone who passes by. Fortunately, there is a solution. Friction and sexual contact makes the ice feel almost... pleasant? As if it's bringing about more and more lust from deep within them. Still, no one wants to be trapped in ice forever. The only way to melt the ice and free them is by creating some heat between two or more bodies.

Are you one of the lucky few who will wander through and be able to help melt someone else free? Or, are you one of the people who get frozen over, stuck in the ice and must wait for someone to come heat things up and melt you free?

« « « HOT MESSES

(cw: impulsive decisions, compulsions, aphrodisiacs, drugs)

Advertisements offer a unique and fun experience for all in Duplicity! One little event is promoted through these, showcasing an experience that all can enjoy, regardless of designation. In fact, if you’re looking for ways to secure a contract, this might be the perfect experience for you!

A small bakery in Fiddler’s Square is hosting a course, teaching Dominants and Submissives how to bake an assortment of goods. Pair up with another person, share a little cookbook, choose a recipe together, get messy, and try to keep yourself focused on the treats you’re making together!

One small issue.

One of the members of the pairs working together? They’ll begin to feel a little more… rowdy. Chaotic. Tempted to act out, to try and mix in different ingredients into their bowls rather than what they’re told to do. It is up to their partner to keep them focused, to keep them on task.

Hopefully they’re able to stop them, before their partner is able to mix in something they shouldn’t without their notice. After all, there are plenty of little bottles of unknown ingredients around. Some of which could be aphrodisiacs, psychedelics, or just plain disgusting tasting.

» » » TLDR

So, what's happening?

PLAY NICE

- Orientation!
- Pet play is the theme for this orientation!
- Many items are offered for use, with only a little bit of instruction offered by staff
- Anyone can play any role, as long as they participate with a another person

WORKS OF ART

- A new exhibit opens up in North Park!
- A maze built out of ice, sculptures inside
- Some people get stuck inside of the ice, clothes removed, in compromising positions
- Others begged by those trapped to free them
- Only way to free them? Sex/sexual encounters!
- Use body heat to melt the ice - by making each other even warmer, it can melt faster!
- The ice does not hurt/harm those stuck in it, instead making them just hornier and hornier

HOT MESSES

- Little baking class offered for all
- People must pair up to take the class!
- Work together to learn how to make some sweets
- One person begins to feel impulsive, begins to try and add random things into the mixture
- The other must stop them before they add aphros, drugs, or other random bad tasting ingredients in!
- Taste test the mix, or bake it and try them
- Hopefully you stopped them before they could add anything too wild :)

» » » MOD & OOC NOTES

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 prefers homemade gifts, they are a Submissive. If your character prefers lavish gifts, 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. Top level comments are for new or returning characters only.

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

» » » MAIN NAVIGATION « « «

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Vash sees that as 'not so bad'. Meryl sees it as something sad, concerning even. So other people were here from his version of the world and he was left behind every time? Maybe he's okay with that. Maybe this strange place is kinder to him than home is? Then again, her Vash fights to keep everyone thinking he's okay when he isn't.

"Mmm, you underestimate how unlucky I am. But, still, six years... they've been doing these experiments or whatever they are for six years?"

As far as he knows, Conrad had been doing them for far longer, but it still feels so long and for what? It's just hurting people, isn't it?

"That's good to hear," Meryl replies, finally tending to her coffee again. She still has a little too much faith in his words compared to her other selves, but her Vash is also a bit more open about some things. "You better not be letting people bully you, though. The you at home is so bad about that."

He knows they're experiments, but the word sends a cold shiver down to the pit of his stomach. He likes to think of the strange things that happen as 'happenings' rather than experiments.

The word experiment just makes him think of her and he doesn't like to think about her in that context.

His smile never falters. Doesn't betray how he really feels about that word. "I suppose you could say that, but they're not your typical experiments. Sometimes they're just fun parties and dances." That submissives usually have to be servers or strung up as toys at. Buuuuuut when have details ever been important?

"And let people bully me? No, I'd never do that, but it's okay, because the people are pretty nice here." Lies. All lies. He is very good at letting people bully him if he thinks it will end things without violence. "But, still, best to treat those without a tattoo on their neck respectfully or you might get in trouble with the law here."

"That's even stranger... parties? Dances? Why have us here for things like that?" Meryl replies, looking a bit incredulous, finally. She is assuming there are a lot of 'catches' to things and, if her time sitting on the floor of the transportation over was any sign, she's sure she will be subject to those catches.

"Good. I better not catch you! I'm trusting your word here, other Vash!" And she sounds quite determined about it.

And then... the warning. Potentially one of the hardest things for her. Her talent for mouthing off at people she should not mouth off at has grown worse without the leash that was Roberto. The added commitment to bravery and justice that was borne out of the chaos of JuLai had not helped, either. She grins awkwardly, almost nervously.

"R-Riiight, sure! I'll be nice and respectful. Don't you worry!"

He should maybe worry. A little bit.

"I am worried." He admits flatly to her. She may not be his Meryl, but he has a feeling she can be just as stubborn when she's right.

"W-Whaaat, why would you be worried? I'm a proper lady, you know, college educated and raised in a city - perfectly respectable! I can keep my nose out of trouble!"

No, she cannot. She does not have Vash's poker face in the slightest. The best she can do is avert her eyes and sheepishly sip from her coffee cup.

"W-Wow, haha, but it's really cold here! And all the white stuff everywhere? What was it called? 'Snow'? It sure is incredible!"

The more she tries to divert, the more warbly her voice gets.

"Uh... huh." He continues to stare at her. "Your lying needs a bit more work, you know that?" His face is unimpressed, but honestly he's amused. It's sort of cute just how bad she is at it.

Meryl sighs and puts on a bit of a sulk. "Listen, I just don't like people thinking they can be jerks because they have some power or status or a big gun or something. If they didn't want to deal with that, they shouldn't have made me a Submissive! That's on them!"

She is fully committed to not being scared or running away. It's not always a good thing, but at least she can defend herself better than 2 years ago.

"That might be on them, but their punishment will come down on you." His slightly teasing nature drops away. Growing more serious. "Meryl, I'm serious. I don't want to scare you, but I need you to know how serious this can be. They may lock you away in a cage and let people buy you. Buy you to use you in the most horrible of ways. You need to be careful."

Oh, that's a more serious face than she's used to from the Vash she knows. He has been that serious before, but maybe not at her. Of course, there was already a person standing in to scold her back then, so maybe he just didn't feel he needed to. She lifts her hands a bit, conceding to him.

"O-okay, okay. Sorry... I'll try to behave. I'll be honest since it's you, or... one of you. I'm not what you'd call a careful person, and I won't stand by the side for my own sake, either. But I promise, I won't go looking for trouble."

At least, not if there's not a good reason to. It's not like she wants terrible things to happen to her, but she can't turn her eyes away from things she thinks are wrong.

He lets his expression soften again. The smile coming back. "I know. I know you don't cause trouble for the sake of it. That you usually have a good reason. But the punishments here aren't fair and they come down harder than home. I don't want you to learn that the hard way." Like he did.

Meryl sighs, shaking her head. "Most punishments aren't fair, but I get it. It's not like I want to be humiliated more than I have already. Just, if something does happen, don't get yourself hurt for my sake, either. I don't know about the 'me' you know, but I'm tougher than I look."

Enough people had been hurt for her sake, anyway, she thinks.

He is going to immediately get hurt or humiliated for her sake if given half a chance. "Well, that is actually something you two have in common. She's one of the strongest people I know. Both you and Milly."

The sound of Milly's voice seems to make her perk up, finally. She clasps her hands together and smiles. "Milly? Oh, so you met her? I guess we really do meet up again where you're from! She's only been working under me for a little while now, but the you I know hasn't met her just yet."

That catches him by surprise. "Eh?! Really? In my world, you two have always been working together. I met you both for the first time together."

Ah. Another difference, then. With her the whole time? How much older is that 'her' that she's already a senior? But, he mentioned insurance before... maybe that's the cause of the original split?

"Mm, that's different, then. I had... a senior with me when we met. I guess he's not there if I'm not in journalism. Yeah, that must be it."

Hopefully, he got to live a nice, long life without her.

"It was just the two of you." Vash confirms before something clicks in his mind. "Oh! Could that have been Mr. Bardeaux Keele? Bernardelli sent him after me when I was in Meldreck, but he only lasted a day. And, if I'm being honest? I didn't like him very much." Something about being shot in his back by the man.

Meryl listens, trying to pick her brain over who happened to be at the office with that name, but she hasn't even been there much in the past few years, has she?

She shakes her head, trying her best not to look too sad. "No, no, his name--- it's-- it was Roberto. I think the you at home liked him well enough, even though he was prickly most of the time."

"Roberto?" He pauses. Closing his eyes and thinking about all the people he's met at home. Roberts, but he doesn't think he remembers a Roberto.

"You never mentioned a Roberto to me before. That might be a difference between our worlds."

Meryl musters a smile back up. "Hm, that's what I'm thinking. A shame, though, he was a pretty good guy. I learned a lot from him. But, Milly's a good girl so far. I can't quite tell what to make of her sometimes, but she's on my side about all of--"

She motions with her hand in a circle. "Everything. She didn't question me when I explained what I'm doing."

Humming in agreement, Vash finishes off his own coffee. "She's a good girl like that." He says fondly. Missing his friend that he hasn't seen in ages.

"This might be a lot, but... I'm kind of glad you're here? I know this city can be awful and you're not exactly the same Meryl I know, but it's still nice." He laughs at himself. "That must sound pretty silly and selfish, huh?"

"I think she'll be a good addition to the team. When we find that you, and I guess Wolfwood," Meryl replies, not looking terribly excited about the latter, but he's not SO bad and she does owe him... quite a lot.

Meryl takes a long drink from her cup as she listens to him, smiling when she finally sets it down. She shakes her head, dismissing the concerns.

"No, not at all. I mean... I'm sure you have friends here, and I know for you, it's probably a blink of an eye, but being so far from home is still lonely. I'm sure there are people you want to see. I'm sorry I'm not the other me, but I'm glad if I can ease that loneliness a little bit. We can tough it out together."

"Yeah, us desert folk need to stick together, right? Especially in this strange winter. I'll ask my dominant to help us buy you some winter clothes. Then you'll be able to have some fun with the snow without the risk of getting sick."

"That's right. Ah, wait, you don't have to. I don't want to impose or anything... even though my coat's a little thin for this 'snow' stuff."

Meryl hasn't realized just how little power she has here, not even buying power. It's a tough lesson to learn for a city girl, even if she's frugal enough in her day to day life.

"Fun...? You can have fun with it? It's pretty, but all I got was a cold nose." She punctuates her statement by covering her still-pink nose with her fingertips.

"Nah, Dorian won't mind at all. In fact, he'd probably just be thrilled to meet someone from my world." He waves off the idea of someone else having to buy things for them. He's gotten very comfortable mooching off of Dorian.

"And there's lots of things you can do with snow! You can make silly looking snow people, roll around in it and make snow angles, or roll it into balls and throw them!"

"Well, I guess, if he's willing. Iiii'll be sure to pay him back whenever I figure out... how I can make money to pay him back here," Meryl replies, sounding rather unsure. She's been pretty much strictly a journalist until now... how does that work in a place like this?

She ends up laughing a little as he explains the plethora of options this 'snow' has for playing. It's not as nice as a frolic through flora, but maybe it's not so bad. "Okay, okay, I can play along a little with those. Rolling around in it sounds more like a little kid would do, though, y'know."

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