TDM #1

[duplicitymods]

« « « TEST DRIVE MEME » » »

« « « OUT OF CLUTTER FIND SIMPLICITY

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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.

» » » LIES TRAVEL IN COMPANY

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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

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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

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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

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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. For characters with a birthday falling in the months of January to June, their designation will be Dominant. For characters with a birthday falling in the months of July to December, their designation will be Submissive. For characters with an unknown birthday, their designation will be Dominant. Arrival into Duplicity has not been used as a prompt as it is a rather large part of introducing the game and will be saved for the first in-game log. But feel free to thread it on the TDM. Also, any locations throughout Duplicity are available for TDM prompts as well! Please remember to mark any necessary content, and have fun!!

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» » » MAIN NAVIGATION « « «

Comments

stephen strange | marvel cinematic universe | dom

[sorserer]

lies travel in company

[ in the train there's just some dude minding his own business. he's looking out the window, at the up section of town where it seems he'll live. it'll be a return to form for stephen strange, who for a time in his life was used to upscale, coveted it. he's pretty sure this time he would have preferred to earn it, though. for what he feels are obvious reasons the idea of living in a fancy ass house for the low, low cost of his boot on someone's neck doesn't sit completely right with him.

at times he thumbs through a leaflet a submissive had given him, one that doesn't say anything the tour proper won't. the visual is easier to retain than the audio tour bullshit, easy to file away in perfect recall for future reference. he has gloves on, simple dark ones for fall weather; if one looks closely as he turns the pages his fingers occasionally shake. and if someone asks if they can sit down in the empty seat across from him he doesn't even look up, just says— ]

Do what you want.

[ his tone is dismissive, if not just plain rude. ]

end in the discord

[ stephen drops his name in the lottery, gets the phone message. it seems straightforward enough, although even in a place like this it doesn't seem obvious that you can trust whoever else would put their name on the line.

he eyes the person's name for awhile longer, then uses voice-to-text: ]

So. Cultural relativism gone wild or something worth fomenting an insurgency over?
Bear in mind I've been here for all of seventy-two hours. I'm open to having missed something that makes this all worth it.

table it for later

[ stephen attends the demonstration for the sheer purpose of seeing what to expect, and frankly he didn't know what the hell to expect. he's just sitting with his legs crossed and his chin in his hand, watching with mild interest and an impeccable poker face as a woman gets used as a table. you know, just normal stuff. a cursory magical glance doesn't even show that anyone's under mind control or some sort of passivity spell, as far as he can tell, so it's clearly exactly what it looks like: a cultural exhibition.

when he's over he lets out a furtive breath that he didn't know he was holding, and then rises to get a drink. he's pretty sure he's not gonna participate in the volunteer demos but at least it's an open bar. if there's a submissive near at hand who looks uncertain he orders one scotch and says, ] And another for this future table.

[ his tone is full of cheerful disdain, not for the person in question but for the proceedings, but it's not like he's making an effort not to sound insulting either. ]

wild card

( DO WHATEVER )

does whatever.

[advena]

[ is she entirely here for this? well, no. no, not by a long shot, but willing participation is a very different thing from — whatever this is. kara's left in her catco best, glasses carefully tucked into place like an alternate-universe windshield, and with a burning need to get from place-to-place without causing too much suspicion.

thus: the train ride, and apparently a particularly rude passenger to boot. ]

Okay. [ easy enough, right? she can do this. ] Sitting next to you is probably not the thing I would pick if I got to do what I want to do, though.

[ a particularly ballsy statement, all things considered, for miss danvers. she doesn't mean it in the way it comes out, though; it's more an attempt to fill in the shoes she's not sure she's ready to wear — or, perhaps more accurately, the stiletto heels intended to crush someone else's spine. not that it would take very much effort to do so on her part... ]

Have you found any recommendations for good places to eat in there?

[ a vague gesture towards his leaflet. it probably doesn't touch on diners or steakhouses, but it's worth asking. ]

[sorserer]

[ attitude is one of the best ways to get stephen's attention, if only because he can take it as well as he dishes it out. his eyes flit up to follow young woman as she sits down across from him. he offers up a thin not-really-smile in greeting. he's not the kind of person who worries about something as trite as manners in uncertain circumstances, but he does fold the leaflet to a particular page. ]

Names a few in the Up. Mostly by way of example, to show how good I've got it. [ as a shiny new dominant. he tilts his head as he hands the leaflet out, a cursory peace offering, and his eyes sliding down to her shoes. leadingly: ] How good we've got it? [ if he's reading the signs right. ]

[advena]

[ kara's return greeting is, admittedly, a little kinder. she does smile back, though it's a little uncertain, almost forced; there's a palpable relief when her eyes are able to dip away from his own to scour over the pages in question. ]

I guess so, [ the words casually stated, her fingertip dragging over the name of a particularly fussy-looking steakhouse that promises beautiful views and attentive staff; from her bag, kara drags out a thin notebook, scrawling out the name and address in her carefully pointed penmanship. ] What's the price, though?

[ she didn't enjoy causing pain, but it would be silly to pretend as though she wasn't capable. ]

Do you think they really serve drinks like this?

[ this being the photograph in the pamphlet, the toned back of a tanned man bearing the weight of a mirrored liquor tray. ]

[sorserer]

[ it's a shared unease, but stephen is just better at tucking it away somewhere private when it can't serve any obvious purpose. he rests his elbow on the armrest and taps his own jaw. outside the city as it passes causes the light inside the train to shift with silhouettes: tall buildings and elegance, attractive pavilions, the trappings of accessible city life. ]

More than I would've been able to afford back home.

[ that's also a peace offering, in a way. stephen back home is a broke bitch.

he glances at the page and huffs, humorlessly. ]

If it's a joke it's very elaborate. A woman on my way to the station had to ask for permission to give me directions. Made me think if I wanted to be kicked back a few centuries I'd just go to a Renaissance fair.

[advena]

That's... [ ridiculous, she wants to say, but the idea also seems to go without saying. of course it's ridiculous. people don't just walk around being told what to do, kara thinks — but then, at the same time, maybe they do.

she had, hadn't she? she'd been cat grant's assistant, and if cat had said jump, kara had asked how high? was it really such a stretch to think that in another universe, cat might have extended those demands beyond fetching hot coffee and seeking out not-yet-released book sequels? ]

Well. It's a lot to take in. [ a small shrug of her shoulders, and kara tucks away her notepad again, turning to face her transit companion a little more directly. ] I'm Kara, by the way.

[sorserer]

Doctor Stephen Strange. Good afternoon.

[ he doesn't extend his hand to shake. they're prone to tremors under the gloves.

for his part stephen finds it all a quaint idea taken a bridge too far. if people want to kneel when someone tells them to kneel, that's their business. but stephen hadn't asked to be the guy who tells people to kneel, which probably is the problem right there, actually—that people have to make choices in this warehouse of non-choices. that already there's an entire subsect of the population from whom he stands apart for reasons other than skill and hard work.

he's not the best at reading people but he can tell, despite the sharp point to those heels, that kara doesn't like it much at all. ]

If you'll forgive me for stating the obvious, Kara, you don't seem excited.

[scientificist]

[Herbert has been rude and flat since the moment he determined what it was this society apparently expects of him. It is an unacceptable step back in his research to be forced to essentially beg and prostitute himself out in order to obtain the supplies and space he needs. Here, his mind means nothing, his accomplishments gone in favour of an arbitrary decision leaving a room.

So he made enough of a fuss back at Orientation to be voluntold to go to this laughable conference with vaguely veiled threats of what might happen if he didn't go, learn some more about what his place is expected to be here, which apparently, is literal furniture. He glared the entire time, unable to even take rude notes with his inability to purchase any basic supplies for himself, and once it was over, immediately walked as far away from the demonstration area as he could manage without breaking his agreement by leaving preemptively. Honestly, he's not sure how long he's supposed to stay here. What can he get away with?

Then, abruptly, he's pulled out of his escape plans by being, evidently, addressed. Strange gets a furious stare, followed sullenly by,] No....I somehow don't think so. Ooor is tha-hat a demand?

[sorserer]

[ stephen actually looks at him, for the first time, because he hadn't bothered before. he's unmoved by the glare, but he does tilt his head and smirk wryly. yeah, he'd probably feel that way too if the woman with the glasses on her back was supposed to be some future representation of himself: the joys and relaxations of kneeling at someone else's feet, a trust game far more advanced than the one kids play where they drop backwards and hope someone catches them. what a trip. ]

Neither. [ really. really truly. you don't have to be a table, kid. it's a lazy reassurance, though. ] Do you want the drink or not?

[scientificist]

[Herbert's expression doesn't change particularly, even with the half-reassurance from this guy. He hasn't been particularly inclined to trust people for years now and he especially doesn't trust someone who explicitly has this much power over him by default. Additionally, he's not really that much of a drinker. It's a waste of time, dulling his mind when he needs it sharp for scientific discovery.

But then, he supposes he can't do much of that for a while, here. His angry expression relaxes abruptly and shifts into something a lot sulkier. His time is being forcibly wasted by being brought to this city. He may as well waste some of his own accord.]

Yes alright. [Sulking at the floor for a moment, he makes eye contact again, if it's still there to be made.] If you're not here for any of that what are you doing here?

[sorserer]

[ it is, but without any particular intensity other than what it takes for stephen to size someone up. he picks up his glass in gloved fingertips, holds it up just so he can see the liquid in the light. ]

I came to learn. I learned. I can leave presumably anytime. [ and then a head tilt, relenting for his own amusement: ] Or test out someone's good posture and best behavior if I feel like staying.

[ if it sounds vaguely sexual, that's because this whole thing is vaguely sexual, not because stephen has to particularly try to make it sound that way. ]

I'm guessing you didn't enjoy the demo.

[scientificist]

[It's not really clear to Herbert what makes this sexual, but he's picked up on that much, and he does know about paraphilia, if not the kink community. Maybe he would have also come here to work out what this society was about if he'd chosen the other door.

Probably not, though, he'd have access to the supplies he needed, in that case, and the ability to work on his projects without needing to set up some vast ruse around his capabilities.]

I'm a scientist and a medical student. [He says this while looking away again, at the second glass that's been poured for him on someone else's command. Picking it up, he doesn't quite drink yet, wanting to finish his thought.] I am not an indentured servant and yet I must, apparently, be the latter if I wish to continue to be the former--a scientist at least: I doubt I'll be permitted to finish out medical school. [Is this illegal conversation? He doesn't even know if this other man is new here, he might be here observing the serfs who try to step out of line.

It doesn't matter. Herbert refuses to play along for as long as he's given the apparent choice. Finally taking a drink from his glass, his face goes a little constipated as he tries not to cough in reaction to the whiskey. He really doesn't often go for alcohol.]

[sorserer]

[ unfortunately in his clean-cut jacket and jeans stephen definitely doesn't look like, totally out of place, and the fact that he's not reacting to the proceedings with chalk-white horror makes the native submissives defer to him naturally. but that's just a function of his personality, which is even-keeled at the worst of times. ]

You're a medical student? [ he tilts his head. stephen remembers med school, a simpler moment in time. ] Where are you studying back home?

table it

[sensor]

( much to the gratis of this test drive, tony stark is not a submissive. however, he does see this blatant display in furniture appraisal, and the slightly more interesting one at hand with stephen and the submissive girl. she could be sweet on him. he's all the right amounts dramatic and mysterious, and probably handsome, maybe, at least a little. however. tony is not about to sit back and watch stephen get laid. that would make him a good friend, which he is certainly not - feel free to ask rhodey. so he sidles up to the bar while the girl accepts her drink, clapping his hand on stephen's shoulder.

to the bartender, )

We'll have the bottle.

( he unbuttons the clutches holding his suit jacket together, taking a seat. he acts surprised by this, over the top and showy, knocking one hand on the wooden bar top. )

Not as soft as I'm used to. ( a vague nod 'hello' in his direction. ) Doctor.

[sorserer]

[ stephen glances down at the offending hand with the habitual disdain of someone who doesn't normally like or expect touch, but when he hears the voice it clicks. ]

Stark.

[ not tony, not yet anyway. he doesn't shrug off the hand, though. he probably would any other day but here, at least, something familiar. ]

You enjoy the show? [ the question is as dry as tinder. it wasn't a question of enjoyment for stephen, just learning, and what he learned was, for the moment, useless and a little appalling. ]

[sensor]

( the bottle gets passed. tony removes his hand, only long enough to thief stephen's glass from his fingers, filling it far past where a bartender's measurement would dictate a glass of scotch. he pours one for himself, a little higher. he downs half of it in one go.

the rumors say something, but tony is something else. he isn't too comfortable around showy signs of sexuality, but. when in rome, maybe. he tosses back the rest of the glass. )

Can't say I've ever found a table titillating, but hey. Different strokes. ( he raises an eyebrow at stephen. ) Yourself? If you're in the market, she's totally into you.

( the submissive from earlier. seemingly sensing her unwanted presence, maybe, or tony's sudden gaze upon her, she scurries away, drink in hand. tony shrugs his shoulders. good. )

Ah, well. If she stayed we would've had nothing to drink about.

[sorserer]

[ in a mirroring gesture stephen downs his tumbler as well. in their short acquaintance it hasn't escaped him that possibly they are in some ways a little too similar for comfort. ]

I wasn't really. [ his voice still with that dryness. ] But I've always been a compulsive spender, so maybe you did me a favor.

[ he hadn't come here to shop or volunteer or demonstrate, he can say that much, but if it's only a matter of time stephen won't belabor the indignity. there are plenty of other arrivals who are indignant, spitting mad, ready to deck the next civil servant who looks at them funny. stephen likes to take his time when he can, learn what he's in for, and then go home and nurse what will surely be a big headache.

he sets the glass down, that tremor in his gloved fingers. he tamps down on the crystal edge until it passes. ]

Are you in the market or on it?

table it for later

[billionerd]

[ "uncertain" isn't the right word for how ray looks. or at least not the only word, he's confused, sure, and a little scared. maybe more than a little.

but then, he's been kidnapped before, kept in a bottle for a while, lived during the late cretaceous period for another while. waking up with a tattoo and a sub designation isn't anywhere near close to the weirdest thing that's happened to him. ]

Oh great, hi! [ there's nothing disdainful about his cheerfulness. ] Thank you. I'm Ray!

[sorserer]

[ wow that is louder and a lot more enthusiastic than he was expecting. but alright, stephen can handle enthusiasm; it might even be a welcome change from the dour-faced confusion that seems to have afflicted all the newcomers in the room at once. ]

You're welcome. Doctor Stephen Strange. [ no handshake, and no apparent interest in continuing the conversation. he's just gonna down his scotch. ]

[billionerd]

[ ray has never been one to be discouraged by obvious disinterest. ]

Sounds like a superhero name— or supervillain. Actually if you're one or the other we should just get that out in the open now.

[ he's still annoyingly chipper. ]

[sorserer]

[ that's also more upfront than stephen's accustomed to. he frowns as he sets down his tumbler, fingers lingering on the edge of the crystal. ]

It's my real name. [ that's not the first time that's happened, after all. ] And I don't think you should ask without first volunteering that information yourself.

[ not that stephen would really know what to do with somebody who straight up self-identified as a supervillain. leave them alone and go look for another drink, maybe. he's pretty sure he's not on call for dealing with that here. ]

[billionerd]

Right, yeah. I'm a hero— sort of. Former hero, current rogue... ish? It's a bit complicated but I'm firmly on the non-murderous side.

[ he is a very candid guy, completely guileless. he's also, notably, a time-traveler, which stephen may or may not notice. idk my bff magic. ]

[sorserer]

Oh, non-murderous. Good to know.

[ with a brief arch of his eyebrows as he signals for another drink. a weaker one this time. he needs his wits about him, probably.

and then his eyes skate sideways, look him over, head to toe. he frowns over the top of his crystal, gloved fingers tapping the top again. ]

Time traveler?

end in the discord » » »

[ex_serum683]

I'm on the side of insurgency, personally.

[sorserer]

[ the directness of the response gets a scoff out of him in real time. ]

If your name isn't as generic as one might suspect, then that doesn't surprise me.