duplicitymemes | TDM #10

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TDM #10

« « « TEST DRIVE MEME » » »

« « « LIFE WILL GO ON

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 weather is a brisk negative seven during the warmest parts of the day.

» » » BLINDLY WE'LL FOLLOW

It's time for the monthly Duplicity train tour. 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.

« « « ASK ME ABOUT X

Along with the usual Dom and Sub seminars and demonstrations, the powers that be have decided to try something a little more friendly. After attending the mandatory classes, all characters are invited to a (mandatory) social mixer! There are beverages and light snacks, and mingling is highly encouraged.

Also, all participants have had their clothes removed and replaced with long shirts ( they are allowed to keep their undergarments, but nothing else is allowed ). Said shirts have the phrase “Ask me about _____!” plastered loudly and proudly on the front. It could be a character’s deepest, darkest secret, their most negative trait, or something embarrassing they had happen to them. Each participant is given a clipboard, pen and a piece of paper and are tasked with “asking” three others about what’s written on their chests. Once they’ve completed the task and handed in the assignment they’ll receive their clothes back. Of course, the long shirts can be removed, but that means you’ll be stuck in the nude or in your undergarments until you cooperate.

« « « ON A FLIP CHART

Not into your long shirts? Want to complain or refuse to participate? There’s another option! Unruly Dominants and Submissives will find themselves locked in a private room with a bed, stuffed together into a get-along-shirt. There’s no escaping the garment either, until certain conditions have been met. Written on a flip chart in the corner of the room are the tasks that need to be accomplished to “get along.” Are the two supposed to share a kiss? Sing a romantic duet together? Say the alphabet backwards in sync? The whole point of the exercise is to find that synergy a Dom and Sub pair are supposed to have. Maybe this isn’t the best way to find it, though…

When the conditions are met the shirt is removable or rippable. Otherwise no matter how hard the characters struggle they’ll find themselves unable to get the pesky thing off.

« « « THE LONG WAY AROUND

Many local businesses have adapted to the timing of newcomers, and take advantage of the incoming crowds to do a little marketing. Stationed throughout Duplicity in LIEr-adjacent places such as the train station, the Up Apartments, the Down Motel, and the orientation center are representatives for local businesses and companies handing out free samples and hoping to attract business later.

This month, there’s a particular presence by Harbroken Industries, a cosmetic and beauty company. They’re pushing free samples of their new pheromone perfume sprays, delicately scented and guaranteed to work. Sample bottles are freely available, but some overeager volunteers are taking the department store approach and spritzing unwitting passersby.

The citrus scent is energizing and bright, inducing a talkative state where users cannot get enough conversation, and lose any internal filter for their words. The strawberry-vanilla scent is sweet and comforting, like a warm hug, which users will get a lot of with their new obsession with physical affection. Cedar-sandalwood makes those who use it tough as nails, angry and ready to pick a fight over the smallest slights. The cinnamon-pear scent makes its users feel adventurous and curious, and maybe a little TOO bold about trying new things. And predictably, the patchouli spray inspires “free love,” with an aphrodisiac effect that gets worse over time, unless taken care of quickly.

The scents will wane and the effects will fade after six hours, or after the urges they cause are fulfilled. These volunteers are so eager to make a sale that it’s entirely possible to be hit with more than one spray at a time, so maybe take the long way around these areas if you’re looking to avoid them.

« « « 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 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: Count the letters in your character's full name ( first, last, middle or whatever combo that they have ). If it totals twelve letters and below they are a Dominant. If it's thirteen and higher they are Submissive.

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

» » » MAIN NAVIGATION « « «

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[She may be joking. It gets him thinking. It's not as though he's using the place and not as though he has announced to anyone that he isn't. The trouble is he can come and go at will. He doubts the same could be said of her. Those dratted hall monitors.

He shakes her hand, his ridiculously soft and perfectly manicured.]

Likewise, Ms. Briest. You know...it's not the worst idea. Not a trade. That's right out, I'm afraid. They allow visits. It's my understanding if the visits become too long, they begin pushing for the contracts.

I'm never there, and I have nothing there of value. There's no harm if you could be discreet about it.

[Now she arches a brow, something almost assessing in the look she gives him, though her smile doesn't falter.

If only he knew how discrete she could be. She could give him quite the reputation if she wanted, that's the thing about being able to change her face.]

It's a kind offer, though I hope you take no offense if I ask what the price of this would be?

[He doesn't strike her as that kind of man, but she's been wrong before.]

There's very little in life that comes for free. I imagine that goes double in a city such as this.

[There's some irony in it, really. So much of her whole life has been about sex, in one way or another. Ending up in a city that practically uses it as currency only seems fitting.]

Price?

[His head gives a little jerk back. A few rapid blinks follow until he catches up with himself. Right. Humans expect to have to pay for things they could get for free very easily if they would simply accept them.

A love of complication, he suspects.]

Right. You can dust sometimes. I'll leave some supplies in the little broom closet in the kitchen.

[Hopefully, that's settled and out of the way.]

I can't speak for the city. I wouldn't want to. You're probably on track to be wary. Careful. Discerning.

[This man is either very sweet, or very, very dangerous, because it comes across as so genuine. Best to test it, if she can.]

Mister Ziraphale. [It's a gentle voice she uses, and she lays her finger tips lightly against the back of his hand, to properly gain his attention.] You do understand that you've cautioned wariness after suggesting that I should come to your apartment? You may say that you won't be there, but what guarantee do I have?

[He seems rather... soft, but Max has known men who come across that way to do terrible things. She's had terrible things done to her by men who dress nice and speak softly and smile sweetly. That's not even taking into account some of the strange things she's seen so far, people who clearly aren't human. He could have a gift like her, or he could be something else entirely.

Anyone is capable of violence, and she's not... above wiling to trade violence for a nicer place to stay than her current accommodations, she'd just like to be certain what she's getting into.]

Well, I'll have to promise, won't I? So I do. I promise.

[He says it with the conviction of a child's pinky swear, as though nothing could be more binding.]

Will it set your mind at ease if I tell you I truly don't like it? It reminds me of home. That's...it's not a good thing, you understand. But for you, it ought to be lovely. Fourth floor, not very high in the high rise.

In the time I stayed there, I never heard a herd of ostriches up top. You shouldn't be bothered by stomping.

[It's a subtle thing, the shift in how she's holding herself, but Max draws back in her seat, posture perfect as she watches him talk. The offer is a good one, she can be discrete, and a little dusting won't kill her. But does he truly expect her to take his word for it?]

And you're doing this out of the goodness of your heart? [Something of a rhetorical question, as she breathes out a small laugh a second later.] You're very ill-suited to this city, aren't you?

[She means it as a compliment, in a way.]

Can you think of a better reason?

[He can't. Kindness. Love. They're rather wonderful.

A touch of the sparkle leaves him, and he grows more serious. He has no desire to lie.]

Everyone is ill-suited to this city. No matter how gifted, optimistic, dangerous, skilled, or whatever else they may believe of themselves or actually be.

I was lucky to have someone here from home who could warn me. If you have no such luck, then take it to heart now. It will dig in. Some of the people here know how to make it hurt a little less.

[Were she wearing a different face, this is where she'd scoff, a cruel thing, because she can think of so many other reasons to do things than kindness. But she's Max, today, and Max can be sharp but not cruel, it wouldn't do to go breaking her own rules even so far away from home. They exist for a reason.

As he carries on, her opinion adjusts again. Not naive like she might have thought, which is easier to swallow, really, she can't stand naivety. It's difficult to imagine anything that could hurt her, unless they can bring her father back to life.

It isn't that she thinks she's so dangerous or skilled that she's obvious being hurt. She just knows herself, knows the pain she can withstand, physical and otherwise.]

I appreciate the warning, and the offer. It is very kind of you, I'm sorry that I have some difficulty accepting that. [The kindness. She's not used to it, with the people she spends time with. Marissa is the only kindness in her life, and Max has to keep her at a distance. She considers her next words carefully, weighs up the value of honesty.] In my experience, men who are kind often have other motives.

[She knows she's beautiful, the point of her is to be beautiful, and to be treated in certain ways because of that. It just means that she's used to expecting people wanting more than just to offer some kindness.]

[He's sorry for that, too, and has just enough sense of people and their pride not to say it. The ways they wound each other will never cease to appall him.

But then he's laughing, not derisively. He gives himself a rather pointed once over before looking back to her.]

I'll say this with the least amount of offensiveness intended that you can imagine, my dear. You're really not my type.

And I do rather dislike dust.

[He could be lying, people lie all the time, herself included, but she's spent so much of her life devoted to learning how to read people, to look for the minuscule clues that give away true intentions, that suggest what they're really after.

It seems genuine. He'd reacted so quickly, and it's hard to make fake laughter seem real. That's one of the things she's always had to work at.]

Oh. [She smiles again, almost breezy, as if they hadn't just been edging close to unpleasant topics.] I understand. I didn't want to assume, but there's no offense taken. It's nice to hear that, on occasion.

[There's no arrogance in that, it's just a statement of fact. When she's designed herself to be wanted, it can be refreshing to have someone not be interested. It saves her from having to wonder when their motives will shift.]

[His laughter dies down to a smile and he nods.]

I wouldn't have been offended if you did. It's one of the easier assumptions to make about me.

[And the persona has served him exceedingly well through the millennia, to the point that it doesn't feel like second nature. It's just his nature. Cheerfully foppish and fussy as long as he has the luxury of it.]

We have a deal then?

Do people often make assumptions about you?

[It comes across genuine, perhaps an edge of sympathy in there, something like understanding. People make a lot of assumptions about Max, regardless of which face she wears, and she wants people to do so.

She smiles at his question, and gives a determined little nod.]

We do, yes. I can always treat it the way I'd treat a first date.

[Not that it is a date, obviously, but going to a stranger's house is fairly equivalent to going on a date with a stranger.]

People make assumptions about everyone all the time. It's what's done.

[It's how their minds work, and it's an endless source of bewilderment to him despite the passage of time. Despite the fact it often leads to bad ends, it is also sometimes delightfully amusing.]

Then I'll have flowers. Flowers always warm a space right up.

[He digs his phone from his overcoat's inner pocket and scrolls through the names until he finds hers, texting her the address.]

Now you have the digits as they say. You can text me when you're ready to come by, and I can meet you in the lobby.

I find it best to avoid them where possible.

[Not to say that she doesn't make snap judgements about people, but she's always willing to adjust them as necessary, and she tends to rely on more than stereotypes.

His comment about flowers startles her so much that for a second, her reaction is genuine; a surprised and confused look, before she smooths it out into a smile. That's not at all what she meant, but it's fine.]

The digits isn't quite what they day, darling, but you're close. [He's doing his best, clearly.] Would Thursday be alright, around noon?

[She'll text him, too, but Max is a woman who likes to plan well ahead, and she'll extend the courtesy to Aziraphale.]

Then you would be refreshingly in the minority.

[He's secretly pleased he managed to surprise her with the flowers. Restrained, he reminds himself. Go overboard, and she'll get the wrong impression. Just one sensible, lovely bouquet for the dining table, white flowers. Oh... That's disappointing. He thought for certain he'd gotten it right this time.]

Kids and their lingo. Yes, that would be tickety-boo.

I'll take that as a compliment.

[She figures it was meant as one, she's just lightly teasing him, feeling more comfortable in the conversation now that she's settled on a course of action.]

I'm hardly what you'd call a child, but I understand the difficulties of keeping up with slang. My assistant refuses to explain half the words she uses.

[She might be thirty but she's an old lady at heart who only uses the internet for research, she doesn't know what memes are and she doesn't care to.]

[His smile brightens. He had certainly meant it as one. Humans don't always understand him. It's nice when they do.]

You have an assistant? That sounds important. What is it that you do, Ms. Briest? Or rather, what did you do before your arrival?

The company I own specializes in the shipment of luxury items. Anything from priceless family jewelry to European sports cars and all manner of items in between.

[This is, of course, almost entirely a front for moving stolen and or illegal items, but she isn't going to say that.]

Kayla is a lifesaver, truly. She's the only reason I ever know what timezone I'm in.

[There's fondness there, clear in her voice and genuine. They aren't close, by any means, but Max cares for her as best she can.]

Ah, very posh, and very complex, what with all of the rules at the various borders.

[He doesn't pay enough attention to human laws to know much beyond that. It has only gotten more and more tangled over time. As he usually deals only in books, it rarely comes up or causes problems unless the binding is very exotic.]

I used to travel more than I do now. Where do you call home when you have your down time?

Yes. [There's something like amusement there, at the way he summed it up so neatly.] We primarily offer our services to people who have more money than they have time.

[Most rich people are willing to pay a lot to remove any difficulties from their lives, and that's where Max's company would step in. Theoretically, if it weren't 90% a front.]

Manhattan is my home. I can't imagine living anywhere else, as beautiful as some other cities are. You're from the south of England?

[She's spent enough time around Englishmen to be able to pick the more common accents. She could guess at London, even, but she'll leave it broader for now.]

Ah, New York. I've always said I'd like to visit and then never make the time.

[He laughs, a little self-deprecatingly. Any of his talk of travel in the past thousand years or so has been just that, talk. England suits him beautifully.]

You have a good ear. I spend the majority of my time in Soho. So many theatres and galleries, there hardly ever seems a good reason to leave.

I couldn't recommend it more, if you ever find the opportunity to visit.

[Once they get out of this hellhole, she supposes.]

An ex of mine was from London, I spent some months there when I was in my twenties. [As an explanation for picking the accent.] Soho was a lovely spot, from what I recall. What is it that you do there?

Every New Yorker I've ever met says the same thing.

[It's interesting how different cities can inspire such loyalty, even in an angel. It's hard to imagine being anywhere but London now, if he has a choice.]

I own a bookstore. I specialize in rare books, most of them religious texts, a few prophecies. Collectors can be very fanatic about editions.

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TDM #10

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cw: references to sexual assault

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