duplicitymemes

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TDM #1

« « « TEST DRIVE MEME » » »

« « « OUT OF CLUTTER FIND SIMPLICITY

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

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. 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!!

» » » MAIN NAVIGATION « « «

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[Sitting nearby but in a slightly taller chair, Vrenille has what amounts to prime real estate for watching the tension across the audience grow. It's a real tableau of nerves, of embarrassment, of discomforted shifting of weight from foot to foot, of people not knowing where to put their eyes. The people who don't seem uncomfortable, whether dominant assigned or submissive, are in the minority.

Vrenille is in that latter group. Unmarked by any line, his assigned place in the social hierarchy is perfectly clear. What's less clear, perhaps, is how he's managing to take everything that's happening here apparently in stride. Right down to the completely casual way he addresses the young man sitting just off to his side, striking up a conversation with a kind, easy smile, like there's no issue of dominance or submission or any hierarchy at all.]

You look like a cat that's about ready to jump right outta its skin.

[ Much like the aforementioned cat Keith almost jumps as a voice interrupts his wary concentration on the scene before them. He blinks huge violet eyes at the person next to him, somewhat put off by this individual's cavalier attitude. A frown tugs at his lips and he tries not to show the extent of his displeasure. ]

It's-- not really my scene.

You don't say. [It's sarcastic, but not unkind. He just means that the remark sounds like pretty much the understatement of the year, obvious to anyone at even the very first glance. Some people wear their hearts upon their sleeves, and at the moment this kid is one of them. It's probably not the best tactic around here.]

Sadly they don't seem to have given any of us much say in the matter. Least of all you. [He gestures to his own throat, a little up and down motion of his finger indicating the line marking the other's skin. If he doesn't work out a way to play along and get through it, he's going to suffer. It's concerning.]

[ Keith's hand automatically moves to his own throat, covering most of the mark as if that will do any good for his situation whatsoever. His eyes settle on the other's neck, which is noticeably bare. Ah. ]

You don't seem to mind all that much.

Or else I've just got a better poker face about the whole thing. [He says it like it's simply an alternative possibility, a different reading of all the same signs, which the younger man really ought to consider.

Then he gives a frank little shrug. He doesn't mind leveling with the guy.] I don't especially like it, but mostly for what's out there. [He jerks his head towards the room's exit, towards the city in general--the Down and the Up. It bothers him, that social stria and where he's been placed in it.] What's in here's just easier for me to adapt to. They've made it a means to an end, y'know? Makes it pretty simple.

At least for me--I'm already pretty used to it.

[ While better at controlling his emotions than he used to be, Keith is still an open book and he can't help but bristle slightly. Really keeping up with that cat analogy there. ]

And I'm sure it helps that you're not the one who has to be furniture.

[He shrugs.] Maybe a little. In the right context I wouldn't care--I've done a lot worse. This setup's enough to get under anyone's skin though.

Unfortunately, it seems they're not real big on free choice. That's gonna make things rough for a guy who's strong-minded, independent, a little bit proud. [He could have said bristly. He's certainly noticed it. In any case, it's no mystery who he's describing. The open-bookness makes this kid easy to read. He tries to make himself easy to read in turn: he's not selling something, just trying to help, because frankly, the guy's gonna need it, and he's not judging him for that.]

[ Keith huffs, arms crossed tightly and protectively over his chest as he looks over at the display again. Honestly, it isn't that bad to witness. The two people seem fond of one another, at least, perfectly in sync-- it's not the act itself that's bothering him. It's the public nature of it, and the expectations put on him to do the same.

This guy is right, though. He can't go against the grain forever. Keith shuffles his feet a little, doesn't look at the other when he speaks. ]

So you're gonna do it, then? Make someone do stuff like that? Own someone?

Make someone? Nah, I'm not real keen on making someone. I'm not real keen on owning anybody either. But, y'know, that's all their words for it anyway. I don't feel the need to get too hung up on that. [Far from crossing his own arms, Vrenille's body language is nonchalant, free. He leans forward a little in his chair, elbows on his knees, hands folded, so that he can speak to his companion in a lower voice. It keeps their conversation a little more private, but he seems less concerned about the secrecy of it than his focus that's trained on the younger man, like there's no one else but them in the whole room.]

What I'm gonna do is find a guy I like, who I get on with, who I can help get outta that slum they've dumped you all in, and I'm gonna help him make a public face, just enough of a show here and there, y'know, do it in ways that he won't hate. Maybe even ways that he can like.

Beyond that? What we get up to, how we get up to it? 'S no one's business but our own.

[ Upon arrival Keith had been hyperfocused on finding a way to break out, to get back home, and had resigned himself to frustrated acceptance not too long ago. It had been easy to fall into dark thoughts and assume the worst, especially with regard to something he knows literally nothing about, but when this guy puts it like that? Maybe it's not that bad after all. Even though war seems almost easier right now, simpler, this is still better than people dying. ]

You really think it'll be that easy?

[Another shrug.] Easy is what you make of it. I don't reckon it'll be easy for everyone. When it comes to things like this, people got a lotta baggage.

Like I said though, I'm already pretty used to it. [He smiles and adds just a slight edge of teasing.] Let's say that I'm as used to it as you're clearly... [his eyes trace the younger man up and down, giving him an obvious once over,] not.

[Look, he's not saying you should give it a try. He's just...lightly implying that you're holding yourself at a disadvantage if you don't. Of course that's your call, friend.]

I didn't get your name.

[ The look, however quick, makes Keith's cheeks heat up, which just proves this guy's point even more. Well, whatever. So he's never done anything remotely sexual before. It isn't that big of a deal.

Honestly he'd listen to hours of Coran's singing if it meant he could be back in his Lion again instead of here. ]

It's Keith.

Vrenille. [He extends a hand in greeting.] I'm glad to meetcha Keith, circumstances notwithstanding.

[And ok, so he's not saying that the sexual inexperience is obvious. But the sexual inexperience is totally obvious. Just like that momentary flush to Keith's face.]

Look, I don't wanna overstep, but some friendly advice? You should probably try and get some experience with this stuff. Pick someone you trust, not 'cause you think you wanna contract with them, just someone you like.

There anyone else from your world here? Any friends?

Yeah, but...

[ Of course, that makes sense. Familiarity is best when facing the unknown like this, and Shiro is the person Keith trusts above all else. It’s honestly a blessing that he’s here, Keith’s rock, his stability, his most important person. He’d look after Keith, protect him, and they’d keep each other safe. Pairing up with him is a no brainer.

Except.

Keith fidgets where he stands, his face notably scarlet now. ]

Can’t I just practice on my own?

[Vrenille tries not to laugh, really he does. Still, there's a bit of a snort at the absurdity of it.]

On your own. So you're gonna what, go be a table in the privacy of your own bedroom? Yeah, because that's gonna teach you to face what scares you about all this.

[Despite the sarcasm, he's not trying to be harsh or cruel though, and he's not wanting to make the kid feel ridiculous or small.]

Look, Keith, it's not about the tables, the furniture. That's why this whole display tonight is such a farce. It's all just window dressing and a room full of people 90% of em missing the point.

[ continued here]

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