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duplicitymemes2019-09-12 04:47 pm
duplicitymods) wrote in duplicitymemes2019-09-12 04:47 pm
Entry tags:
TDM #8
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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. ... 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 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. The hellish summer heat is finally starting to subside, and the cool breeze suggests autumn is approaching. |
 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. |
 The weather’s getting cooler, and people have begun transitioning from summer clothing to the sweaters and jackets of early fall. With jackets come pockets, and with pockets come a bizarre uptick in robberies. Then again, perhaps the correlation is flawed. In the Down, getting robbed is a constant threat. Gangs of street toughs look for lone or inattentive people who look like they’ve got valuables on hand. Uncontracted Submissives are particularly easy to rob, since authorities have little time to bother with a lowly Submissive without a Dominant to advocate for them. One particularly nasty gang of young adult men, the Bulldogs, hangs out near the train, looking to ambush unwary Submissives fresh out of Orientation. They are prone to violent muggings and will simply beat up their target and leave them in a gutter when they’re finished robbing them. In the Up, the streets are nominally safer, but there have been reports of a group of college-aged Submissive women taking advantage of their designation to attack travelers. They, too, stand near the train and the orientation center, looking to seduce passersby into an alley where a group of them can beat and mug their victims, usually Dominants looking to capitalize on their pretty appearances. But you’re truthfully at risk anywhere in the city. The new arrivals are easy targets, and any brazen thief might get the idea to make some quick cash. The authorities are spread too thin to help, but perhaps LIErs can look out for one another? Or they might just get in on the thievery. Everyone’s out for themselves, after all. |
( CW: potential dubcon, drugs, BDSM/sexual torture, prostitution, public use ) Surrounding a large building near the orientation center in the Up, banners and fliers announcing the beginning of the inaugural Duplicity High Tech Sexpo, a trade show for businesses and manufacturers of adult novelties. Since this is the expo’s first year, admission is free and many excited volunteers are handing out vouchers all over the city. These vouchers can be exchanged for goods and services within the expo, but have no monetary value outside of it. Even if you refuse them, you’ll likely find two or three of them tucked into your bag or pocket. Inside the expo hall, there are dozens of booths pitching a variety of entertainments. Many offer interactive demonstrations, showing off their tech for the crowds of interested onlookers. Competition is fierce, and booths try to attract attention and customers through any means necessary. There are private rooms all around the expo for potential customers to try out the products. Booths will also happily accept volunteers for demos, or try to recruit them by bribing them with cash or free samples. There’s a nasty rumor going around that some are recruiting volunteers via more illicit means, like drugging and dressing them up, but surely that’s an exaggeration… Some of the smaller booths sell more traditional toys and accessories: leashes and collars, specialty lubes and massage oils, fetish gear, strap-ons, dildos and vibrators in myriad shapes and sizes, and other basic items. Others advertise apps for the devices, the most notable of which is HUGGR (which LIErs may recognize as a poorly rebuilt sex-themed version of a certain other app.) The closer you get to the big-ticket sponsor booths, the more elaborate and fantastic the products become. One of the most eye-catching demos is for the Climax VR Headset. You and a partner both wear a VR headset, which displays a collaborative virtual scenario. Both partners can alter the setting and surroundings however they like, and any sexual activity conducted in VR transmits real sensations to their bodies. You can come together without ever physically touching. Symphony Hydraulics have a large, loud booth where crowds gather to watch perhaps the most outrageous demo: a variety of fucking machines. Volunteers get stripped, strapped in, and turned on, brought to screaming orgasms in front of the whole crowd. There is a fifteen minute break between demos on each machine, as some poor intern hurriedly washes and sanitizes them between uses. In the interim, they offer smaller, portable versions for sale or rent at the expo. (Some may note that a few of the Symphony Hydraulics staff members look a bit familiar.) Does all this high-tech equipment have you overwhelmed? Wish you could go back to a simpler time? Sir Robert’f Bedroome Provifionf (sic) is helmed by historical reenactor Robert Plum, who has also created his own line of medieval torture device-themed sex toys. Need a chastity belt to keep your Submissive all to yourself? A rack with an attached spreader-bar? An iron maiden with soft vibrating silicone ticklers inside? All the stocks and whips and chains you could ever need? Sir Robert has you covered. Of course, everything on display is harmlessly altered for sexual novelty purposes, but one might also ask to see Sir Robert’s “special” merchandise in the back. Perhaps the most unassuming booth at the expo belongs to Grandma Hattie’s Snacks and Sweets. Grandma Hattie, a kindly old Submissive, has partnered with a tech company to produce what appear to be completely normal vending machines, stocked full of her tasty homemade bread, snack cakes, and other baked goods. Vouchers are good for a free sample of any treat from a vending machine. They taste amazing and have no apparent odd effects-- until 10 minutes after consumption, when you suddenly gain an insatiable craving for a random kink. Your craving will dominate your thoughts for three hours, or until it is appeased. |
 (CW: potential dubcon, objectification) By far the largest and shiniest booth comes from expo sponsors Sexy Metal Incorporated, who have set up a display of their incredible high-tech sexbots. These life-sized dolls are made of extremely realistic material that feels like warm human skin, and come with state-of-the-art mechanics that give them lifelike movement. Engineers show off how the bots can be plugged into a computer and programmed to act any way the buyer likes. They come in a wide variety of customizable appearances and eerily, some of the bots on display look exactly like people you may know. Booth staff encourage customers to buy these dolls, or to rent them and give them a try onstage in front of the fascinated crowds. If that’s not kinky enough, one of the engineers has purchased a VR headset from another booth, and programmed it to interface with the bot’s controls. Care to slip inside the silicone skin of another person? |
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 assignments OOCly are still 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: In celebration of our one year, pick whichever role you want for your character! » A Pocket Full of Pennies: Feel free to come up with any free-roving gangs or petty criminals you like for your characters to tangle with. » New Flesh Like A Glove: Characters can spend money on items at the expo, or may exchange vouchers for what they want. Each voucher has a value of about $5 within the expo and they may be acquired by finding them, having them handed to characters/stuffed in their pockets or bags by expo volunteers, or paid them in exchange for “volunteering” at booths. Characters may indeed try before they buy, either out in the open or using one of the provided private rooms with a partner. The expo has a staff of unpaid student interns tasked with cleaning and sanitizing products if they are used but not purchased. Grandma Hattie’s snacks can inspire characters to have any kink you may desire. » Perfection of the Digital: Sexbots can resemble any player characters, including brand new arrivals/test drive characters. They can also resemble characters that yours knows from home. The engineers have no explanation for this, and the one who identifies himself as the designer will shrug and say he gets inspiration from many places. The sexbots are hot-ticket expensive merchandise, so security is tight around the booth. Characters who attempt to steal or destroy a sexbot (for instance, one who looks like themselves) will be quickly set upon by guards, who are meant to eject them from the expo. However, many of the guards will take bribes from other booths to provide them model “volunteers,” drugged into complacency. If characters want to acquire a sexbot permanently, they will have to buy it or exchange a hefty 50 vouchers for it. Please remember to mark any necessary content, and have fun!! |
no subject
"I was hoping to hear what you had to say about yourself out of interest that it might match up differently from historical records I've read," he explains. "Though I can see why you may be a bit prickly about it. I meant no insult, just that, perhaps a bit inanely, I like to know how accurate the facts are before I'm keen on believing them." The list Anders reels off are the bullet-pointed highlights, of course. "And it's also a way to get to know you."
They've reached what appears to be an acceptable place to drink, dim and dark for this part of the city, but not decrepit. Dorian pulls open the door and waves to let Anders through first. "I knew another apostate while I was in Skyhold. Interesting fellow. I can't imagine what it must be like, on the run simply due to the skill you possess. I've never understood why mages aren't trained better in the south."
no subject
The idea that someone could just honestly be interested in learning who the real Anders is, in spite of what he's been made, is apparently just a bit more radical than he's actually prepared to deal with gracefully.
He follows Dorian's lead, stepping past him into the tavern's dark interior. Thankfully, it's not crowded, and diverting them toward a safely shadowed table is easy enough.
"Simpler just to lock us all up, I suppose. If you're persistent enough - or just particularly fortunate - though, the Circle offers a better education than you'll get anywhere else, outside Tevinter. It just isn't worth the price you pay." Not by half.
"I owe whatever skill I do possess to all the unlucky mages who came before me. But I'd give it all up just to know what it might have been like not to have spent so much of my life imprisoned, hated and reviled by half the people around me."
no subject
Taking one of the seats, he sets both arms across the table and sits straight. There's a menu in front of him; Dorian picks it up, toying with the glossy material with interest, reading through its list for something even vaguely familiar. He looks up at those words.
"I won't say all of us have it comfortable and easy in Tevinter," he says. "But they certainly aren't shackled and treated like criminals. Though I suppose a slave that's found to possess magical ability does receive different attention, and rarely any of it good." He grimaces, sobering. "I won't deny that we have our issues. Yet I can't imagine I would be what I am today, had I suffered as you and other mages like you have." It's an honest statement. If there's one thing he values most from his heritage, it was his training and education.
no subject
Speaking of.
"I've heard from others that the Circles in the south have all fallen, though, and perhaps even abolished, entirely. Is the same true for the Thedas you know?"
no subject
Power is in the hands of magic. The fear and hatred toward magisters is prevalent everywhere in the south. The alternative, however, seems worse in his own opinion.
"The changes are new, of course, but already she's faced quite a bit of conflict. The Chantry splintered into new sects or diverged entirely, disavowing her rule. Well. At least until she lowered an iron fist."
no subject
He'll take his wins where he can find them.
"I suppose there was never any hoping for a peaceful solution any time soon, though.
"Still, the right people finally having some say must already be making a marked difference. And in only a few years' time, at that. I truly hope I live at least long enough to see the same for myself."
no subject
He orders a glass of wine off the menu, something dark red and dry.
"There were a few other candidates up for the position, from what I recall. The Inquisition actually had quite the impact on the overall verdict. No wonder Orlais and Ferelden are trying to get a collar fastened onto us. That's just the game of politics for you."
no subject
Anders orders something cheap that's liable to come watered down, for politeness' sake. And to catch the check, before anyone can think to kick up a fuss about Dorian's status. They might be more lenient, in the Down, but most places are still far from permissive.
"It never ends, does it? And now here you are, in an entirely new world, with its own mess of unpleasant politics to learn and navigate. My sincerest sympathies."
no subject
"Tell me more about the contracts." Dorian leans back in his seat, eyes intent on the other man. It may be a new world with unpleasant politics, but that's not going to stop him, as he'd like to think he's endured worse changes. Perhaps. "They expire in, what, three months? Can they be broken, and if so, what circumstances allow for that?"
no subject
"Which I strongly suggest you make a priority. The contracts can't be broken by any means I'm aware of." Whatever it is that's lurking under that thin veneer of informative calm tightens is grip, and Anders' steady gaze skates away, searching the other side of the barroom aimlessly. "...Unless, of course, one of you disappears."
no subject
When they're drinks arrive, he reaches for his glass and sips from the rim, grateful for the familiar dry burn of wine.
"I imagine that would void it, then. One or the other disappearing mid-duration." He can't quite read Anders' reaction, but the topic does make him curious. "How long have you been here now, exactly? Enough to have your own contract? Is it something you're truly comfortable with?"
no subject
And he has other things on his mind, anyway.
"It should be a year soon, by my count." He sounds more resigned to that fact than anything. "So yes, I've had a few. It's not something you ever get comfortable with, but... finding a trustworthy partner can make it bearable."
no subject
One drink won't be enough to get him intoxicated, but it tastes good, and it's something to do with his hands.
"What do you even consider a 'trustworthy' partner?" Dorian frowns, frustration leaking in. "Someone tolerable enough, who won't take advantage of you? Someone eager to jump into bed? I suppose it varies person to person, hm."
no subject
Dorian's next question is a bit harder to answer with some pale reassurance. There are too many things Anders had to consider, before making his first contract - and with the handful of others, too. And though he might not have been so stringent, once or twice, as he's stressing Dorian be, now, there are certain assurances he's never gone into such an agreement without.
"I chose allies, those I knew would stand by me, even if we couldn't always agree. Who understood that our survival would be a joint effort, no matter how one-sided this city makes it seem.
"I know that it feels like an insurmountable task, when all of this is new. But it's far from impossible."
no subject
But Anders does bring up some good points.
"Well. Assuming I do end up stuck here," he says with lips pressed to the rim of his glass, "I'll take that to mind. An ally would certainly be ideal." If only those didn't come so few and far between. "I appreciate the advice. You must have gone through several contracts by now, hm?"
no subject
Whatever that means, for him. Anders won't pretend to know, after having only just met the man. Although he's willing to put up with some interrogation, himself, it's just another day, for him. Going a little easy on returning the favor feels like common courtesy.
"Then it's just a matter of keeping your terms light. There are many here who use their contracts to come as close to openly flouting the system as possible."
no subject
"Yes, well, no matter the terms of the contract, it's clear that one party will always have the upper hand, isn't it? The Dominant class will be favored by the political system, by the justice system, by every aspect of this city. So you must fully trust the Dominant not to take advantage of that."
And how could such trust be so easily given?
no subject
"Undoubtedly. I have no illusions I haven't gotten the long end of the stick, this time, but I do know what it's like to live with that boot on your neck. I expect it's no consolation that at least here it's a boot you choose, if you're lucky enough.
"But if there are trustworthy allies to be found here, even for someone like me, I expect you'll manage."