Duplicity Game Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
duplicitymods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
duplicitymemes2018-09-12 11:51 am
duplicitymods) wrote in duplicitymemes2018-09-12 11:51 am
Entry tags:
TDM #1
« « « TEST DRIVE MEME » » »
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. |
 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. |
 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. |
 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. |
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!! |
no subject
Waver purses his lips, tugging again at his sweater, pulling it back down around the sides and the back too where it had rucked up from being dragged along the wall. He takes a few deeper breaths, trying to get ahold of himself and calm down fully.
If nothing else, this is a hell of a distraction.
He can feel the whisper of magic, see it like a shimmer in the air around them as the Servant finally reveals himself for what he is:
Lancer.
Waver's eyes widen. At last, he stands fully, pushing off the wall to rock forward half a step as his gaze travels the length of that blood-red spear in the Servant's hand, and finally back to his eyes. They're nearly the same color, too-bright in the dim lighting of the private room. Arresting, holding his gaze even as Lancer bows his head.
If the gesture is meant as a joke, Waver does not pick up on it. After how un-heroically Lancer has been treating him, he's going to accept it as part of the apology as well, for once fighting down the instinct to assume everyone is making fun of him. This isn't his first time standing before a legendary hero. He's embarrassed himself enough.
Waver offers a small nod in return, in all seriousness, and draws himself up to his full -- still rather unimpressive -- height. Rumpled and sweaty as he is, it looks a little bit ridiculous, but the look in his eyes is newly determined, shoulders back, fists clenched at his sides. ]
My name is Waver Velvet.
no subject
Waver Velvet. He has no recollection of the name, not from the memory he'd gained from the recent Grail War he'd participated in, but that in itself is not unusual - this boy seems unremarkable enough at a glance, and the difference in the period does hinder the scope of knowledge, as well.
But even then, there is certain light in his eyes, a set to his shoulders that Lancer recognises, and maybe admires a little. ]
I'm glad to meet you.
[ he finally straightens up himself, the end of the spear sliding against the ground as he leans against it, fingers loosely curled around the shaft of the handle. ]
You don't seem too fazed by meeting with Servants of the Grail.
[ most mages wouldn't get a chance in a lifetime to experience anything like this. He seems pretty knowledgeable too, in a way that hints at some first hand experience, or some intense research. ]
no subject
[ And now, after that, his vassal-- he swore it, and he meant it, but Waver keeps this to himself at this meeting.
It all feels out of order, surreal: the strange sense of deja vu, though he doesn't know this Servant at all; the lingering fear just beneath the surface; the feeling out of place and in over his head but determined not to back down. What is the point of it? Why have they been brought here?
Slowly, Waver shakes his head. His lips quirk up faintly, a tight, wry smile. ]
Not that it matters much here.
And you... Lancer? [ He's certain his guess is right. ] What War were you given form for by the Grail, only to end up Masterless here?
[ It shouldn't be possible. And yet shouldn't be means nothing to what is. In a way, Lancer is the unluckier of the two of them, despite the mark on Waver's throat-- not that Waver is selfless enough to really think of it that way. ]
no subject
he has to admit, lancer is surprised by the revelation - Velvet ... Surely it isn't any prestigious family. He doesn't recognise the name being from any of the main families involved in the fuyuki Grail, either. which would only mean.. ]
From the mage's association?
[ sending a twerp like this?
He's silent for a moment, his gaze dropping from waver to the wall behind him, and lancer lets out a short, sharp bark of a laugh. ]
Well, at least you survived. [ now what is that supposed to mean... ]
The Fifth.
See? There's already something in common.
no subject
Waver follows the way Lancer's gaze shifts away from him too, the strange expression that crosses his face momentarily (though maybe he'd imagined it?) as he laughs.
Is Lancer laughing at him? ]
I did.
[ He scowls, drawing himself up again to stand defiantly straight-backed. He knows what it looks like. He knows he's being underestimated. Fine. He doesn't have to prove himself to Lancer; even though the nagging, insecure urge remains, he reminds himself this isn't about Lancer's opinion of him.
Waver's grip tightens, the fingers of his left hand curling around his right where the seal had been, unconsciously. He'd chosen to survive. He'd promised.
Live, Waver.
A sharp, unsteady inhale, swallowing the tight, heavy feeling in his chest. ]
I fought by his side, and I survived to tell about it.
So I'm not going to let someone like you push me around.
[ ...the Fifth war, though? After how everything ended, the fire, the state of the Grail-- Waver doesn't know the details. How many years ahead will that be? At least half a century? For now, he pushes aside the curiosity to focus on Lancer's face intently as he speaks, adamantly holding his gaze when he makes eye contact again. ]
Understand?
no subject
better to live than to die - it's not something that he would have considered as an option himself, but this is different times, different age. his time has long since passed them all now. ]
Not many people can say that they fought in the Grail War.
[ especially by the side of a servant. not many masters would have the guts to do that.
a faint whisper of breeze, and Lancer lets the Gae Bolg disappear into the thin air. ]
--But you'd do better than that to impress me. I haven't made up my mind yet on you.
[ maybe it's a joke. he's got a grin starting to build on his face as he says it. ]
no subject
[ That's not entirely true. He still cares what people think about him, perhaps a little too much-- but he knows it, and he doesn't like letting on either. It's that stubborn pride that's gotten him in trouble before... and gotten him to where he is now, too.
He'd thought it condescending at the time, but he understands Rider's words better now.
You understand how small you are.
The sting of his own nails digging into the back of his right hand jolts Waver out of the memory, and he forces his fingers to uncurl, fixing the hem of his sweater again as he lets out a breath. ]
I haven't made up my mind yet on you, either. But so far, it's not a great impression.
[ Clearly. His lips press together critically, brow furrowed. He hesitates, struggling to decide how to approach this or if he even wants to, after that-- But here was a Servant, unattached and arguably weak because of it. Eventually, if not now. He needed a mage. And he might have information and knowledge that would be useful on top of physical strength.
Waver doesn't have to like him. ]
Even so... I think we're both better off as allies than as enemies in this place.
no subject
Yeah, I bet it isn't.
[ Lancer pauses a little, his gaze sliding back to the other in a razor-sharp focus at what he's said. Allies, rather than enemies. Now that's something he can agree on. For now, he doesn't feel any different to before - but without the link of a contract tethering him, and without a stabilising source of mana provided with a bond, Lancer isn't sure if he would be able to deal effectively with whatever this place decides to throw their way.
Granted, it doesn't feel like there is much magical presence here - but there's always going to be use in being prepared. ]
I will keep that in mind.
[ if there are presence of other magi, or even Servants in the area who's been summoned, they would have better chance of coming up with some sort of a measure for the occurrence. ]
no subject
Waver's glowering at him conveys as much, but at least he doesn't push the matter. Seems he's accepted the apology, for what it's worth. (Maybe he's gotten a little too used to being manhandled by ancient heroes or something.) He just offers a grudging nod. ]
Okay. So we agree.
[ One more thing. It's probably implied, but he wants it clear. Waver crosses his arms in front of his chest, lifting his chin up defiantly. ]
If we're going to work together to figure out what the hell is going on here... no more of that. Doing whatever you want like that. Got it?
waggles eyebrows
No more of that?
[ you mean the making out??
Lancer tilts his head in a question, slightly puzzled by the other's vague wording until it hits him. ]
So it's ok if I ask first?
eyebrows of sin
Waver's face reddens almost instantly, mouth dropping half-open. For a moment, he's too taken aback to reply with anything more than a wordless sputter, jabbing his finger at Lancer in wounded accusation. ]
Y-You should have asked first in the first place!
[ Why is this the only thing he thinks about?! ]
that's how I roll, baby
okay, it would almost be too funny, just from the play of expressions across the other's face, or even watching how fast his face reddened from the question.
It's kind of cute, in a way. ]
Well, you seemed to know a lot about Servants.
I figured you'd know about that too.
[ scratching the back of his head, Lancer is just going to shrug casually. ]
no subject
[ His arm sweeps down, gesturing widely at nothing. His wide breadth of knowledge (yeah, right) has nothing to do with this!! ]
That- that's not the point!
no subject
eyes following the wide arc of the other's arm, Lancer grimaces slightly, a corner of his mouth twisting down. ]
Then what?
[ slightly... Ok, deliberately obvious glance to the front of the other's sweater that he'd been trying to pull down, then back up to his face. ]
You didn't seem to mind.
no subject
He's not really physically capable of blushing much more than he already is. Self-consciously, though it likely only proves Lancer's point, his fingers curl around the front hem of his sweater again.
Not like it was his fault he'd reacted. ]
I did mind! [ confused boner or no, Lancer had scared the hell out of him earlier. it isn't funny to him, okay. ] Don't make fun of me when this is your fault!
no subject
Who's making fun of you?
[ seriously, this is what he doesn't get about the modern times. everyone is so uptight and upset all the time. but Lancer isn't going to voice that out loud. ]
I just don't know what you want, if I see two bit of evidence that says different things.
[ confused boner... ]
no subject
I don't know what you're talking about.
[ liar. ]
no subject
[ his tone drops in pitch, and Lancer looks ... unimpressed at best. He doesn't like lying. ]
You said it's better off for us to be allies?
Then you better start being more honest. I don't stand for deceit.
[ it's just a boner cu????? ]
no subject
He tugs at his sweater again, crosses his arms tight across his chest. Fidgety, defensive. He doesn't deny it again. ]
It doesn't matter. Like I said, that's not the point.
[ Lancer's eyes on him feel too intense. Waver looks down, glaring somewhere toward the floor behind him instead. ]
If you agree to an alliance, I have to be able to trust you too. [ At least a little, right? ]
no subject
I won't do anything that will harm you.
[ probably??? as long as while they are allies. ]
no subject
In the end, even if they parted ways right now, he won't be better off. He'll still be alone, confused and trapped, and living in a dump.
What's the worst that can happen if he agrees?
Despite their other... outdated ideas... Waver has gathered enough about these ancient knightly hero types to know it's unlikely Lancer will take giving his word lightly. ]
You swear it?
no subject
Waver Velvet.
As long as we are in alliance, I will not harm you.
[ there are no command seals, nothing that will necessarily bind Lancer to his word spoken now - but he will abide by it. ]
no subject
Of course, he is also painfully aware there's nothing real binding the Servant, no contract and no seals or spells, but the promise sounds formal enough. The word of a knight who hates deceit. It will have to do.
Right now, he has no better option. ]
Then we have an agreement, [ he murmurs, inclining his head in turn for the formality. His heart is beating very fast again. ]
Since we're not at war, how do you want me to call you?
no subject
There is no War here, but it might just be temporary. ]
Just Lancer will do for now.
[ with a sigh, he lets the clothing fade again to a t-shirt and pants, something that fits in better with their surroundings. ]
Until we know more about just what the deal is around here
no subject
I agree. That's the best way to go about it for now.
[ Of course, that's the easiest part of whatever arrangement they're going to work out. Waver is aware there must be other obligations on his part (he hasn't forgotten Lancer's idea of testing), but... small steps first... ]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)