Truth Meme

[folkie]

Truth Meme

Somehow, there is kirin on you.

Most likely, it is the fur of the kirin that was caught in the environment of wherever you’ve been; there is a stray hair on you because one was on the seat you sat on upon the train or because it blew onto the brim of your hat in the wind.

Or it may be because you met the kirin—a playful ungulate moose-sized spirit who prefers not to speak—and engaged with him and gave him a pat, or a scratch behind an ear. Maybe the kirin nosed or licked your hand because you made him laugh (it’s an adorable ‘keh keh keh’ sound).

Unfortunately for both you and the kirin (who had not meant to trouble your day like this, truly), this exposure to his dander has only one reaction, and it happens to 100% of Star Children: you are compelled to tell the entire truth. About what is less specific; you are compelled simply to announce things about yourself—your life, experiences, thoughts, opinions, feelings. No matter if it’s something silly and inconsequential, deep or secretive, life-altering or commonplace. Some may choose to do this by employing Foxi and their relic; others by finding people to exchange truth with to face to face.

When you have met the kirin’s subconscious desire for four hours, you will be free from the truth telling and the recipient of 24 hours of good luck. The good luck will be sometime in the next year rather than in the next day, and you may have no idea where it came from, but you’ll know a lucky day when you have it!

• This meme is game canon unless marked otherwise at the start of threads! Threads can be used for spoons and application samples.
• Assume all characters involved on this meme are affected.
• Characters will compulsively state truths about themselves/their feelings on the network or in-person. Top-levels may include either/both options.
• Please include prompts in your top level.
• All questions will be answered with complete and total honesty. No special abilities, half-truths, or omissions can avoid sharing all of the truth.
• Meme is open until the next truth meme!
• After one month, you may use the kirin mechanic generally in game. It can be one-sided! All truth-telling characters must consent.

Comments

[zechs_isonfire]

Thank you. [ Even compelled to tell the truth - apparently it was important and true enough to voice genuine gratitude before expanding upon anything else, for Zechs. He accepted the water and took a large swig, immediately feeling better. ]

I do not fault you for asking me such a question, Quattro, it comes from a place where you are attempting to divert my impulsion to speak the truth and protect my privacy - your understanding and empathy are among your great qualities. [ Zechs looked at his glass of water instead of at Quattro, at that, eyes slightly hidden by bangs. He cleared his throat. ]

Things I remember from when I was very young. Pfeffernusse, lebkuchen ... one can find hanuta in shops around Europe. Of savory dishes, pirozhki, bourguinon, paupiettes, pommes anna ... [ bemused; ] ... somehow the more rustic presentations are what I prefer, even if I believe a lavish presentation would've been more faithful to what I had actually eaten, once.

[zechs_isonfire]

I don't want to think about the past right now. [ He closed his eyes for a moment and slightly leaned into the touch, as Treize carded a hand into his hair and stepped even closer. ] Even if it is inevitable with you here.

[ He's not intending to blame Treize - that was just how it was. Unlike everyone else here, Treize didn't need his past explained to him, he had been there - for better or worse. ]

[ But it's still true; ] I am so tired of it haunting me. I wish I could focus on this present moment, instead.

[betteroffred]

[Quattro is momentarily speechless over that extremely honest compliment, but he gives Zechs a big, genuine smile a moment later that says more than he could manage with words on the subject.]

I'm not much when it comes to baking, the cookies and hanuta I recognize. There was a large European population in the part of Earthsphere where I grew up.

[German, specifically.]

Bourguignon I can manage. I suppose we're lucky the spoons can bring us what my baking skills lack.

Young Zechs Merquise made quite the fine little aristocrat. I understand, though. I'm unfortunately very familiar with the political and social maneuvers one often finds with lavishly presented food.

[He's more free of that game now than he ever has been, and he doesn't miss it.]

Is there anything else I can bring you? Or would you rather just be alone now, until this wears off.

[oz_leader]

Then focus on me. We'll duel now if you want or we could put it off a little longer and pursue this instead. [Which would mean returning to his home but there is a space for dueling there as well. ]

[zechs_isonfire]

[ There’s an echo of a smile back, though it’s far smaller and more subdued for Zechs. ] I want to find more ways to bring that smile to your face.

[ Of course, he blushed immediately afterward. It felt - embarrassing. ]

[ Talking about food is, at least for the moment, a welcome subject change. ]

Too many dinners endured with Romafeller for me to associate elaborately elegant meals as anything comforting, I’m afraid. I would feel as if I am wearing a mask once more.

[ Bluntly; ] I would find it both more comfortable and more miserable to be alone - I prefer having company even when it causes me discomfort. I have read that pushing past those sorts of uncomfortable moments bring greater growth, but I doubt those writers were ever magically compelled to tell the truth against their will.

[zechs_isonfire]

I am incapable of lying - I do very much wish to duel you. [ Deep breath. ] Perhaps it’s better if it’s less public, considering I’m now hoping you’d have your way with me at swordpoint after.

[ Mortifying. ]

[doesntsing]

I do. It’s the most important thing I’ve done in my life - besides have my kids.

[betteroffred]

Do you think you will regret it later, if I do stay and keep you company?

[He knows how awful loneliness can be, even when being around other people is difficult. This is a unique situation, however.]

There's moving past discomfort, and then there's doing something that's too much too soon- training injuries are a think when improving our bodies, after all. I see no reason this kind of progress wouldn't be susceptible to the same.

[zechs_isonfire]

I don’t know. [ The honesty keeps him from giving a comforting lie in either direction. ]

[ He winced because he can predict what will come out of his mouth. ] Those injuries rarely stopped me in my youth, even recognizing the logic in what you say now and what others had said then.

Yet this is different, surely, the only underdeveloped muscle I have in being a normal, socialized human being is metaphorical and not physical. And I cannot in fact die from embarrassment regardless of what I might think.

[betteroffred]

I'll stay, for now. But you know as well as I do that physical injuries heal much more easily. You wouldn't have used rose scented shampoo for so long if you didn't have those kinds of feelings, and lingering wounds to go with them.

[It's perhaps unfair to bring up while Zechs is stuck telling the truth, but Quattro sits on the guest bed and makes himself comfortable.]

[zechs_isonfire]

[ For the first time that day, Zechs winced because of something another person said. He frowned - suddenly afraid of what he might say, he frankly went a little pale. ]

That is in remembrance, and as penance, because I do not wish to forget what I had become and what I had lost in becoming it. Even with him here, it doesn’t change the fact my actions lead to his and others’ deaths. Even though he meant to die that day. Perhaps meant me to die as well. I should have been the better man and found some other way. With him alive now in this place, it’s especially important I do not forget myself and slide backward.

[ He looked a little green, then. ] I would like to discuss anything else.

[betteroffred]

Yes. I apologize.

[Quattro will bring up the rest of his thoughts on that subject another time. For now he grabs Zechs and pulls him to sit on the bed.]

I'm sorry, I'm having a hard time thinking of things to say that won't lead us to topics that are unfair for you.

[Spotting some stray lint on Zechs' shoulder, Quattro brushes it away with his ungloved hand.]

Although I have a running list of subjects I intend to bring up with you later when you're capable of refusing to answer- it's so much more fun to get you to admit and ask for things when I have to work for it, like that time I took your sword, or when you were being evasive about what you wanted us to do with a gun in the bedroom.

[Quattro's eyes widen in horror while he talks, hidden away from Zechs by his sunglasses.]

I had no intention of saying any of that because I know it will cause you to say things which I have tried very hard to avoid asking about. I was worried this might be contagious back when you first started to talk uncontrollably at me- I may have to change both my appearance and my name and adopt a new identity after this, I hope you won't feel that it's your fault if I find myself no longer able to face you.

[oz_leader]

We can duel after. [Treize says after a moment, his fingers. ]

As much as I do enjoy the visual of you at swordpoint or on your knees, I have other things I want to do first so if you can be a little more patient, we will grant your desires as well.

[rememoror]

Perhaps we could go to look for it. I fear we may be disappointed.

[serendipitously]

Most have in my experience. We may just be unlucky.

He did. We've spoken more intimately than we should have about a lot of things. Which I consider something of a mistake.

Perhaps. I do think you'd get along, but we've kept our lives here very separate that it almost seems frightening to think of not doing that. Which probably makes little sense.

[zechs_isonfire]

You’re forgiven. [ It’s not all right, that’s untrue - but Zechs did not hold this curse against Quattro. ] It is not your fault that I am so uncomfortable around my own truths.

[ Quattro’s eyes are hidden - but he heard the dawning horror as well as just noticed the unfettered speech as the man continued. Zechs’ eyes also went wide. ]

Shit. I think you’ve become affected by this same curse.

[ He reached in an attempt to cover Quattro’s mouth; ] I’d far more embarrass and humiliate myself than have you decide not to face me. I value you too highly as my friend.

[zechs_isonfire]

I am eager to see what you want. [ Zechs was very much feeling humiliated by what he’s still admitting - but it felt slightly less fraught, now. ] I excel at being patient. But I am no less eager to do what you would desire.

[oz_leader]

I'm aware of how patient you can be given we've both done our share of waiting to achieve our own goals. [His thumb skims along Milliardo's jawline lightly before dropping back to his side.]

My house isn't far.

[zechs_isonfire]

(( ooc: continued here! ))

cw: discussion of sex

[betteroffred]

[The desire to continue speaking has Quattro grabbing to stop Zechs from silencing him.]

I've already told you how I prefer you silence me- although I think the compulsion to keep talking might make it difficult to fully enjoy your natural talent. I'd be quite happy right now if you found some way to keep me from talking, which feels hypocritical as I would have no complaints against you knowing everything about me if we were capable of connecting as Newtypes.

I know you enjoy being embarrassed, we should do that instead if you can't shut me up. I am very sorry about saying that.

[zechs_isonfire]

It doesn’t seem hypocritical to me - you were explaining how that understanding is far different from this compulsion. In addition, being a Newtype is only natural for you, this forced honesty is decidedly not.

I’d always prefer to suffer in place of a friend. [ Zechs looked particularly determined. ] But I would like to attempt to silence us, we should enjoy it.

[ Zechs would at least begin by leaning in with the intent to kiss Quattro, see how long they could both stand to keep their mouths busy that way. ]

[betteroffred]

I am such a poor Newtype that it doesn't feel natural to me, if I were better, I would not have made so many mistakes in my life.

[Quattro pulls back from the attempt to kiss long enough for him to say something else.]

I do not wish for you to suffer in my place, you already inflict more of that on yourself than you deserve.

[As soon as he can manage to stop talking for a moment he presses his mouth against Zechs' mouth, to feel how soft his lips are. He does not last long before he's talking again.]

Your lips are so soft, and so is your hair. But I've always been surprised that your hands are a little rougher than mine even though we're both soldiers and wear gloves often. Or is that simply my perception of your hands being different?

[zechs_isonfire]

I don’t want you to elaborate on that at this time. [ Which was the absolute truth. Perhaps that’s why it’s easier, at least in that moment, for him to keep trying to kiss Quattro - it mattered more to him than drawing out any secrets. ]

[ Yet the compulsion finally distracted him again at that topic. ]

Why are you so surprised? I also believe yours are softer - I only took that to mean that your skin, surely, must be of more luxuriant quality. Some quirk in genetics. Your hair is delightful to comb fingers through, different than mine as well.

[betteroffred]

I take good care of my skin- I grew up without sunlight on my skin at all for many years when I was young, but now I moisturize regularly and try to take good care of my hands in particular. I want people to enjoy the feel of my hands when I touch them, I have gloves I wear on nights I sleep alone to help keep them soft- you take such lovely care of your hair, do you not do the same?

[Quattro's very relieved he doesn't feel the need to address the subject of genetics, given the work he puts into his appearance. That would not go anywhere good for either of them.]

[zechs_isonfire]

Your efforts have paid off. I very much enjoy the touch of your hands - whether they are gentle in ways it’s difficult for me to express what I want - or when they’re rough in ways it’s difficult for me to express what I want. [ Zechs very nearly rolled his eyes, but did not. ] Yes, it seems more than obvious I have difficulties expressing that, the compulsion needn’t make that more awkward.

[ Wry: ] You’ve seen what I looked like as a boy. The length helps some, but my hair is fine enough that were I less strict with it, it would become a frizzy, impossible mess. I can’t say I bother with anything else. My hair takes enough time on its own.