moregood | duplicity

[ The same message is sent to five people in Duplicity. Tightly encrypted, as best it can be in the city, but allowing them all to see who else the message has been sent to: Gar, Donna, Kory, Conner, and newly arrived Jason Todd. ]

As has been pointed out to me, we nearly have our full team here. It's time for the Titans to assemble... at least to talk over where we go from here.

[ A date and time are at the bottom, along with the address for Dick's home in the Down. ]

(ooc: I will make a post in a day or two as work goes as a gathering type post for everyone to talk things out, including a group talk and one on one.)

Just can't resist, can you?

You know me. Besides, I can't run the community center to offer help and have people attacked just coming to me for help.

I'll understand if anyone chooses not to get involved. Jason already called a pass. Not surprised but thought I would try.

And everyone else?

I doubt he'll stay out of the fight, even if he doesn't want to be a Titan.

Gar will be there. I haven't heard yet from Kory.

Yeah, he will. He just needs to be careful about what he's going to face when he takes on the guards. I know what they do to people here and it's ugly.

I can always reach out, see what she's thinking.

Everything here is ugly. When it's not, the program just manipulates the situation.

Not everything. Sometimes there's still good to be found here.

It's what I've been focusing on.

It's focusing that's the problem.
Life here never slows down long enough for me to get past the shit they do to us.

You can handle this, Donna.
I mean, if I can. You can definitely make it.

[Is he challenging her? A little. It's meant to help. ]

Is that a pep talk or a challenge?

Call it a bit of both?

Whatever this place is, and whatever it can throw at you, I know that you can handle it.
Don't let this place beat you.

I mean I'm dead, so.
I was beaten long before all of this happened.

You're not dead here.

I personally think that's a step in the right direction.

You say that, but sometimes this kinda feels like hell.

I'm sorry, Donna. I only think about it one way, but not others. I'm sorry.

You don't have to be sorry. None of this is your fault.

I need to consider both of our positions in this place and what we're going through.

It's something a friend is pretty serious about me working on.

I think its understandable that everyone is working through their own shit.

Some people have it worse here, somehow others have it better. I don't know.

There's always someone that's going to have it worse, always someone that has it better.

All we can do while we're stuck here is help those we can.
It's what I want to do here. I know Barry and Gar are on my side.
I want you there too but I get it if you don't want to do that here.

To the extent that this broken system is the upgrade? It's more complicated than beating the bad guys when this scenario is an improvement for some of them.

What about Kory?

Right now my goal is to help those I can through the community center and maintain patrols to help those in the program from the roving gangs in the down.

Not the same as what we've done but the focus is still the same? Helping those we can.

I assume she is as well. I plan to talk with her personally and not just assume though. We know where that's gotten me before.

I'm trying not to be that person. Actively working on it.

Hey. Just wanted to let you know I woke up to a message from the powers that be here. Conner is no longer in the city.

did you hear about dick?

I'm guessing if it was good news I'd be hearing it from Dick.
What happened?

he's in jail. it's not his fault, he was just trying to help out a guy with nowhere to stay, but it's illegal and he's inside for a few days. he's doing that whole thing where he acts like he doesn't need anything because he's just worried about everyone else.

You know you have to let him do that thing, right?
It makes him feel like he's looking out for the rest of you.

so then who's looking out for him? is that not what a team is supposed to do?

It's absolutely what a team is supposed to do. But this is Dick we're talking about. He'd rather help you than ask for it himself.

yeah, he always would. i thought we were past that though, after what happened before.

What happened before?

you don't remember the whole thing where he took off by himself and got arrested without telling anyone what he was doing?

I remember thinking he needed to work that shit out for himself.
I'm not saying he hasn't changed. I haven't been here, obviously. But there's always going to be a part of him that defaults to taking care of other people first.

so you think we should just sit back, wait for him to know he needs us?

I think you should try not to do anything to put yourself at risk because that's just going to make this worse for him.
That's not the same as not being there for him. You know its not.

i know

i'm not gonna do anything stupid, donna, i promise.

Good.

Are you okay?
I mean, as okay as a person can be around here.

yeah, i'm hanging in there

are you?
i mean you're newer to all of this than i am

I'm fine.

It doesn't take long to figure out what they want from us. Feels like a pretty shitty afterlife most of the time.

yeah.
you deserved a lot better than this.

Everyone deserves a lot better than this, Gar.
Doesn't mean I'm not glad to be with all of you for a while.

i'm glad too

i'm not mad about being here. i'd rather be here than the rest of you than have you here without me
and maybe we can make a difference here.

That's a brave way to look at it. You've already been through enough because of us.

you know before i met any of the titans, i'd already lost my parents and turned into a shapeshifter

and then i was stuck in a basement for a long time

i'd rather be out doing something, making a difference. even if it's here.

hey this is barry
if you're free sometime
do you wanna get a drink or something?

Yeah, sure. I'd like that.
I know a lot's been happening lately.
Are you okay?

wow
i was totally going to ask you that very same question 🤔
but whenever you want
it's on me

That's a good way to get around having to answer.
Sometime this week. What do you do to keep busy here?

oh yeah
that works great
and uh
work?? i guess?
or hang out with people
like we will be doing

Do you suit up here, too?

sometimes?
not much need to really
not like this place has the typical laws back home does, you know?

I think it's less about the laws, more about the people for me.
They need help. If I don't do what I can, what's the point of me being here?

yeah
as dominants we're in the position to do that
so we should
at least i think so
but even without all that dom and sub shit
we should be looking out for each other regardless

Yeah, I guess so.
Sometimes I don't know where to start.

i suggest getting a sub for yourself :)

Had to work that in there, didn't you?
Just feels wrong, you know?

i know it does
but you can help someone with being their dominant
that's how i look at it at least
and that's how i have mine
i don't sleep with them or boss them around or anything
i do what i can to give them a better life here
much as one can have

But the city could force us to, right?
They could force us to boss them around, or sleep with them, or do anything they want.

that's always a possibility
even with people we're not contracted with

I know.
But it feels different with a contract - the power imbalance, for starters.

only if you make it be

How do I not do that?

just treat it like a business deal or something
this place is going to look down on submissives no matter what
but as dominants we don't have to make it be that way
with or without a contract
my contract is more about protecting and providing for my submissive
not telling him what he can and can't do
i'm not saying there's any foolproof way of not having there be a power imbalance
because this place will do that one way or another at times
but you, as a dominant, don't have to go along with it in your personal and private life

That makes sense. I've always been looking for a partnership, not a sub. But I feel like I'm expected to do what I can to keep that person safe.
And I don't exactly do a spectacular job of keeping myself safe to take someone else on.

yeah
it can be a time
especially if they get in trouble
cause it falls on you sometimes
but it's not impossible
only if you make it be

And if I get in trouble?
Do they punish them?

possibly?
i haven't tested that to see myself

You don't get in trouble? Ever?

is this such a big surprise or something???

Yeah?
Yeah. It is.

i'm part of the justice league???
maybe the titans here at some point
i am a good boy

Good people get in trouble here all the time. That's kind of...how they get in trouble.
Nice to hear Dick is still recruiting. He does that a lot.

i mean
my team isn't here?
probably a good thing
even if i kind of miss them too
but like
it's up to you guys i mean
i'd never just like shoehorn my way into your family and team
i was just saying you know?

Our full team isn't here. I miss Dawn.
Fuck, sometimes I even miss Hank.
But that wasn't a criticism. If you want to join us, I support that.

oh yeah?
that's cool
i mean thanks
kind of nice to have like
dick's sister's approval

You have it; you've had it.
But you've never needed it. You're a smart guy, you know that.

it still just feels like something to earn
you know?
but i'm glad i have
i think you're pretty cool

You don't have to earn anything. You're equals.
Although you seem to have your shit together more than the rest of us. Don't worry, I won't hold it against you.

I think you're pretty cool too.

wow thanks that's such an honor
and if you ever need anything
i will totally be there for you 🤗

Just know that works both ways. If you need anything I'm here.
For now, anyway.

roger that 👍

[ The package is delivered to Donna's place of residence on Christmas Eve, but when she gets it, who knows. When she does, however, she will find a gift box for her from one certain speedster and of course, there's a card attached to it:

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, good tidings and all that. Nothing's laced with anything suspicious. Just pure winey sweet and salty whenever you feel like you need a little something. I know it sucks here but I hope you know you're not alone. Wishing you the best, Barry. ]

[ There's a gift bag on Donna's doorstep come holiday time, containing a slim box with a red and blue vibrator inside. The note reads:

d -

couldn't help myself.

let me know how you like it ;)

xo

sara

[ On Christmas, Donna receives a fancy box, inside of which is a lot of chocolate.

Also there's a Christmas card from Gar! ]

if i were to ask you for a favor
would you be willing to hear me out about it?

That sounds...interesting.
Sure.

you're a photographer, right?
like a professional one?

Yeah, I'm a photographer.

do you shoot
people?
or like landscapes and stuff?

Back home, it's a little bit of everything.

[ just going to gently build up the courage for this ]

well
if you have a camera here
i was wondering if you'd be willing to take some photos of me
professionally

Professionally?

like
tasteful nudes?
or if that's too weird then
please forget i ever asked
yeah

Is this a Dick thing?

wow that can be taken so many ways
but yeah
i just thought
maybe for valentines or his birthday
idk
is it weird?
considering where we are?
i feel like everything here is very
forced or porn-y
and i thought someone like you would be more soft and artistic about it
i don't know

I can do it.

really?
i mean
i will absolutely pay you for your time
and just as long as it's not too weird or anything
cause you're my friend and special to dick and i don't want it to be weird

You don't have to pay me for my time, just the photos.
I can keep the shoot professional. It's part of the job, you know?
Besides, I'd rather you do it with me than some sleaze in the city.

yeah
i figured someone like you would be better and safer?

[ he's a submissive now and there's a good chance he'd be taken advantage of or forced into something around here, so. hence his asking. ]

but yeah sure
whatever you want for the photos i will pay yes
and i really appreciate this too like a lot

Makes sense.

We'll work out the details this week. Artistic can mean a lot of things, we'll figure out what you like.

yeah
totally doable
either by chat or whatever
whenever you have time to talk :)

I always have time for you.

ok well
great :)
just give me a holler when you want to hash things out

I will. Start thinking about anything specific you might want, too.

yes ma'am
will do :)

the following information is

CLASSIFIED
OPERATION: 🎂 BIRDIE TURNIN THIRTIE 🥳
SUBJECT: DICK GRAYSON

1. date still to be determined but prior to the actual day itself

2. location: donna's apartment. time to be determined.

3. protocol: lure subject to designated location and ambush with birthday fun. subject's escape is NOT AN OPTION.

4.
a) primary mission of DONNA TROY: supply space for birthday fun to take place in. decorations to be provided for upon request or else up to DONNA TROY herself to make appropriate selections in decor for the birthday fun.

5. keep as much details from subject as possible.

CLASSIFIED BY
BARRY ALLEN ⚡

Thanks for the invite.
Do you have someone on food?

it's your MISSION
hello????
and i sure do
i got it covered 😎

When are we doing this?
What kind of food?

gar suggested a few days before his birthday sooooo
16th? 17th? either of those sound good?
and lots of different food
don't worry
i got it :)

MEET BARRY ALLEN, YOU TWO SHOULD TALK ABOUT SPANKING!

I mean, to be fair, we've never talked about spanking before.

[ oh god oh man OH GOD OH MAN. of all the people.... ]

please just
disregard this
purge from the very depths of your mind
yes
thank you
sorry

Relax, I know you didn't send it.
It's not your fault, nothing to apologize for.

yes ok
because
not me at all you know?

Figured it was just the city raising hell.

yeah
it does do that from time to time

You okay?

yes
just gently embarrassed

You don't have to be embarrassed. It's just this place trying to get to us.

i know just
you're like dick's sister and it's
awkward

I have a terrible memory.
Can't even remember what that first text said.

oh
yes
me either

Good.
So don't worry about it.

yes ma'am
sis
madam

I don't do ma'am or madam.

you got it my lady :)

Good, I like that one better.

MEET SARA. YOU TWO SHOULD TALK ABOUT SQUIRTING

Should we?

i'm taking this as a sign that we should do more of it.

You do love to make a mess.

please. you make way more of a mess than i do.

Exactly, and whose fault is that?

yours. and mine. i'm not sorry.

That's rude.

you love it ;)

Do I?

don't you?

You might need to refresh my memory.

if you insist. we can make a mess in the shower next time. easier clean up.

Just the shower?

you have a few other places in mind?

Generally, yeah.

you want to give me the list?

Nah.

i thought we were gonna make a checklist.

Sometimes I like to surprise you.

sometimes?

I believe that's called "every once in a while".

mmhm. i guess i do enjoy your surprises...

You guess?

i guess. okay, shit, i really like your surprises. are you happy?

Actually, yeah. Very.

awwww wait because I made you happy or because you won

Do I have to choose?

kind of

Why?

because I want you to

Oh. Huh.

you're not gonna do it, are you.

You knew I wasn't.

❝

DUPLICITY CITATION No. 18239
Violation: Sexual Deviancy (Dominant/Dominant)
Fine: 1 day Realignment
Payments must be received within 30 calendar days, or debts will be handed over to the Remittance Facility.

❞

you ok?

Yeah. You?

pretty fucking annoyed, but fine i guess. you get the same dumbass homework i did?

Hi. We don't know each other, but I'm Caitlin. I'm a friend of Barry's and Sara's. We're all from the same Earth, actually.

I hate to be the one to bring you this news, but Barry and Sara are both dead. If they aren't sent home permanently, they'll be back on the 20th, but they won't remember anything from here for a week.

Thanks for the heads up.

Edited 2022-04-09 21:42 (UTC)

I wish I didn’t have to give it.

So, before you find out other ways, Barry and I are going to be contracting permanently. For all that can mean here.

Is this your way of inviting me to the wedding?

There's not going to be an actual wedding? More like maybe a get together?

A get-together with vows?

Definitely a get together with maybe words of how much this means to us.

Because it does. Mean a lot to us that is.

Jesus, Donna. I can't believe this is where my life is.

You mean a wedding.

You can't? Your life's been heading this way for a while, Dick.

Less than a year. It hasn't been a year yet since we met.

And that was something else entirely.

I guess it has. I just didn't think he'd be the one to ask me to make it official.

[ Which is not entirely what shocks him still. Barry knows about as much about him as Donna does and with someone knowing that much, he's expected Barry to bail for brighter, sunnier pastures as it were. ]

You're telling me you're not shocked?

I'm not shocked. I saw this coming from a mile away.

Really? You saw me meeting a speedster that works with Bruce, and falling in love with him in an alternative sex world?
You saw that?

What, you didn't?

Whatever. Fine. You know all.

We're not actually do some kind of ceremony or anything but you know you're still my best woman, right?

Wow, that's dorkier in print than it was in my head.

That's right, I do.

Still nice to hear it.

You're my best woman, Donna. There. In print.

Well, I'm keeping that forever.

Do you need me to bring anything to the party?

Print it out and frame it. I'll even sign it.

Let me get with Barry about what we're doing but food is never a bad thing with him, and since Barry the other also will be there.

I've seen other Barry eat breakfast, more food is always a good thing.

I envy them. Not that I would know what to do if I could eat anything but I envy them.

I mean, we basically can.
Just not on their level.

I'm waiting on more info from Jason but I'm not getting a response back from Gar.

I get an error message when I send him something.

Then he's been sent home.

Are you okay?

Yeah, just heard from Jason. It's official. He was notified that he's gone.

He's home, and that's a good thing. We're there, and you'll be there and that's a good thing, right?

How's Jason?

Yeah, it's a good thing.

I'm about to head over there and find out.

Wish me luck.

Good luck.

Text me if you need backup.

Just wanted to check in and see how you're doing, and if you need help with anything. Or just some company.

Hey Barry.
You heard they're gone.

Yeah, I did. I'm here for you though.

Are you okay?

Not really, no. So I imagine it's worse for you. [and it's pretty hard for Barrys to admit they're not okay in any universe but he's trying to be better about that]

It's not exactly the first time Dick and I have gone our separate ways.

Hey so um, Sara got herself injured and you should come check on her. She says she's fine but she's full of crap tbh.

What the fuck happened now?

She beat herself up. Literally. Nightmare her.

What are her injuries?

[Barry just sends her a sneaky picture while Sara is napping. She has her thigh wrapped in gauze, bruises and cuts along her face and arms, and ice pack over her stomach.]

Fuck.
I'll talk to her.

I'm sure she'll appreciate it, even if she might threaten me with knives.

You can outrun those, right?

duplicity | ic contact

un: shrike; text (encrypted private)

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un: shrike; text

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