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Truth Meme
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.
no subject
[In Shinra it could go either way, and Sephiroth knows it.]
Additionally, Rufus Shinra of course, Vice President at a mere twenty years old. Absolutely a nepotism hire.
no subject
[ The most obvious concern would be Heidegger's control over the military and Turks. SOLDIER too, by Vincent's time. But he doesn't think to mention this. The hierarchy that was there prior to Nibelheim is something he has very little knowledge about. There's a pause. ]
Reeve is a prodigy. And... he's also someone you can reason with. In my time, he ends up becoming an ally. Later fills the power void when Shinra falls and works to restore and protect the planet. I think he can be a valuable ally. You can take my words with a grain of salt. But... I'd appreciate if you spare him.
[ Even if he hadn't mentioned his bias, Vincent's tone and the emotions through the bond would make it clear that Reeve is a trusted friend. Vincent then frowns a bit in thought. ]
Rufus, huh?
[ Idly his fingers tap against the counter. The metallic tips can be heard clacking for a moment. ]
I didn't think he'd be old enough.
[ Shouldn't be maybe. Was his math wrong? The boy's birth had been announced near the time he went under and sometimes Vincent wondered if he could completely trust his memories near and around that time. ]
But... hm. In my time, he thought differently from his father's strategy. The old man believed in money. Rufus would use money, but... his tactics seemed to favor fear or awe to maintain control.
[ Awe to rise the spirits and national pride. Shows of power to sow fear and keep enemies from charging at the walls. ]
no subject
[He's not entirely certain, but .. mostly. People who wanted money could be negotiated with, made to see other, more profitable options than the current path.
Reeve ... didn't sound like someone that should be an immediate target. It's possible there's still ambition and designs, simply held in check by the older, more entrenched greed of his elders. Sephiroth was willing to let it go for a while, but he'll be watching.]
When the President says he wants his kid as Vice, then I imagine everyone bends to his whim. Twenty is old enough for a managerial position, but vice president.. has implications, I think. It's not really a position of true power, but it's very public and makes it hard to act.
[Rufus was a mystery. He'd continue to be for a while, though if he was more amenable to Sephiroth's plans than the aging senior Shinra, then...
Well, sometimes patricide was a way of instilling fear and awe too.]
I won't put much stock in the heir apparent being interested in selling out his father for power, but if the Turks are willing to cooperate with me they may have an insider perspective that I, a mere tool, would lack.
no subject
I'm not sure selling out is the right word to use. Rufus is clever and careful. But ultimately I think he acts in a way that provide the most benefit to his future plans. Being made vice president may be a way to keep him in check and under observation.
[ More sounds, suggesting that things are finishing up in the kitchen. Strong garlicy smell is definitely backing that up. ]
He might sell his father out. But he would probably avoid anything that ties him directly to his father's death. He was set to inherit everything so why bloody his hands? You'd have to present him with cold proof that it's in his best interests to move that openly and join hands with you. If you go for the direct approach.
[ No one ever said that Rufus Shinra was sent away far from Midgar to supervise other interests because he was a filial son. ]
Food's almost ready.
no subject
[Food's almost ready, and so he extracts himself from what he's doing, shaking a bit of feeling back into a foot. He's still agitated, but it's.. less than it was, by far.]
But I don't think being so direct would be to my benefit. I can kill the Professor with minimal difficulty, I think. But moving against the President, when he could potentally be made to see the value in doing otherwise? His son might wind up an opponent instead.
[Speaking of murderous sons. Maybe they could bond over that.
Garlic wasn't usually a problem, so that .. is surely going to be interesting, whatever smells so strongly of it.]
In truth I suspect dealing with the beurocrats will be the easy part of what I must do.
no subject
Vincent hadn't minded spending the lore for what wasn't there. Even if that meant a spare pot for cooking. ]
Different types of difficulty.
[ Comparing human politiks and greed to a viral, space-borne calamity is... a choice. Vincent wishes he could do more. But it's not something he really has much say in. There are ideas he can pursue but ultimately, Sephiroth will be sent back to his world on his own. ]
Well, I don't envy you either. Neither are good. But... sometimes I think I'd prefer to deal with Jenova in the end.
[ Vincent wants to ask more directly. But... no. He won't. ]
no subject
[Inevitably, someone's going to try to interfere. And then the killing will spread. A fruit cube is picked up morosely, rolled in his hands in a sticky-sweet line before being eaten.]
Do you think ... it would be better if I didn't risk a confrontation with her at all? Just.. deal with the human factor as best as I can and then.. hope the Planet will take me? It'd hurt less, I think. Less chance of failure too.
no subject
I'll answer that as frankly as I can. I don't think you're ready right now. To face Jenova. [ His gaze slides to Sephiroth. ] You have enough on your plate. Hojo will be... difficult enough. You're turning your hand against your superiors.
[ But Vincent doesn't shake his head. Instead he continues to explain. ]
They're human. Hrmph...Barely. Jenova, what that is... a deadly, alien calamity with strong mental power. The closer you get to the source, to its head or core... The more risk there is.
[ Vincent's eyes narrow with memory. He shakes himself from it and focuses on Sephiroth again. ]
There's a lot you know now that makes your future uncertain. You know what you are. Not misled by false theories. Proximity of Jenova's will can let it dig into the fractures of your psyche. Which... everyone has. Still, it's hard to say if you would become part of Jenova... or dominate it.
[ He crosses his arms. ]
Let's say you leave Jenova and stay away from it. Ideally you will want to bury it again. But eventually it will be found again. Decades or centuries later. The problem will happen come around again. Maybe the planet will be better equipped. Maybe not. But it is a choice you can make.
[ There's nothing in his voice that indicates this would be cowardly. Nor is there in the bond. ]
no subject
Sooner or later, the Professor will be dealt with.
[And then what? Not do anything about the alien parasite in his veins, and lurking SOMEWHERE in containment, waiting for an opportunity?
Part of him knows it's not something the vast majority of people his age ever have to consider. The rest of him knows it's not an option to walk away. Either he succeeds, or he dies trying. And Vincent believes he'll fail, a not unreasonable assumption.
He probably would. It took a half dozen highly skilled people to do it in the future, how could he alone?]
It's not much of a choice, walking away and knowing countless people and even monsters will be at risk because I was too afraid to do what I have to.
no subject
Mm, no. It's not. Whether you choose to confront Jenova immediately, wait until you're older or bury it again for another generation to contend with. Everything has a risk.
[ He closes his eyes a moment, knowing well of making a choice and its consequences. ]
And a cost.
[ When Vincent looks at Sephiroth again, it comes with a wave of empathetic sorrow. No one should have the choice. Least of all a child. It fades a little as it is replaced by something like resolve. ]
...Just because I don't think you're ready now doesn't mean that you won't ever be, Sephiroth. Ultimately, you have it in you. The sheer will to keep existing, even within the Lifestream itself.
[ Vincent lets out a quiet sigh. ]
You have the potential. Not as the hero propped up by Shinra's propaganda, but on your own merit. And... you don't necessarily have to do it alone. But we've spoken about that before. I know you don't want to involve others.
[ So he won't press further on the matter. ]
no subject
There isn't time for 'eventually'. You know that.
[The longer he waited, if opportunity ever presented itself, the more likely it was it would become more difficult, not less, to try to change things. To try to steer Shinra away from its course, to try to save countelss lives.
A war was coming. Could he even stop that?
They have spoken before about involving others. Everyone who knew the future that awaited him did, and yet none of them seemed to also think he'd balk at the cost of THOSE lives either. By the surge of irritation, the reminder was enough 'pressing further'.]
I have been told that when I decide to end the world, I had a friend there. One I should have been able to trust to aid me. Who did not. I am told I had other friends before that, which would fight by my side. Where were they?
[Food is pushed around instead of eaten.]
I get the impression that when the time came and I faced my alien mother, I was alone. And if they can't be relied on, who else am I supposed to make allies of, knowing what's coming?
no subject
Maybe not as long as we'd hope you have. But that doesn't mean you have to do everything the minute you return either.
[ A friend. Vincent does look puzzled. ] You don't mean Zack, do you? [ And from the retold narrative, the former Turk also surmises it wasn't Cloud. So who else? In any case, it will be considered. ]
...Seems like I need to have a talk with Zack and Cloud. If it ends up that way again, all the more reason to make more time for your plans.
[ There's a line of frustration in the bond; it's not directed at Sephiroth and seemed to peak when he spoke of talking to Zack and Cloud. ]
The advantage you have right now is that you keep your memories... and the abilities you gain here intact when you return. And... you've learned there are things you can do to change events. Telling the Veld where I was.
[ There's a pause. ]
In my past, he didn't know. Now he does, a lot earlier. Even a small change is going to go far. I can give you information on most of the current executives. How the Turks are likely to move. I wish I could go with you. But since I can't, I will arm you with knowledge.
no subject
[Having a talk with people inevitably just meant those people would dig in their heels, Vincent would get yelled at back, nothing would be resolved and everything made just a little bit worse. They will never really look at him and think perhaps a fifteen year old shouldn't have to contend with any of this, that ship has sailed.
He draws a breath. More importantly...]
I do have to do as much as I can as quickly as I can. If I do not, more people die and suffer in Deepground, more people are sacrificed in the labs, more people die in Wutai for a war that shouldn't happen, the Planet dies a little more with every moment the reactors are active, and I can't justify letting all of that just keep happening because I'm afraid, or alone.
[And the more he waffled, the more he failed, the worse it was inevitably going to be for everyone else. Some people could probably walk away. He couldn't.
All he could do was try to prepare the best he could. Gain what power he could, what knowledge he could, and try to do as much damage as he possibly could before Jenova won. Hopefully.. enough people would be strong enough to stop him.
But no friends. He couldn't risk it.
Resignation is bitter and unpleasant. He had a choice, but like Rosen it was no choice at all.]
What you know of the executives, is it too many years out of date or too early to be useful?
no subject
[ There is some mild confusion. Vincent has every reason to think that Zack should be the one hating him after all. He didn't stop things in the past. And he tried to kill a teenager who hadn't done anything yet. ]
I need to speak with him. Resolve the misunderstanding at least. Try to understand what happened to those people that should have been there. If we're going to change things, whatever happened there may be an important key.
[ No, Sephiroth shouldn't need to be contending with any of this. It isn't fair. But this time, Vincent seems to stand firm against the teen's wishes. What happened, when it happens. They're getting an opportunity to change things and having other allies that Sephiroth could trust...
Vincent's full attention was on the youth. Of course he was thinking of plans and alternative options, ways to arm Sephiroth with the knowledge to carry out the tasks he's set himself to. But those tasks, given bitter outline just then, become part of a stark realization.
The former Turk's brow creases and then eases lightly with an accompanying string of emotions. Sorrow and remorse. A deeper concern than is usually felt. He steps forward. For the moment, he disregards the question about the executives. Reaches over to try and place a hand on the teen's shoulder. ]
You shouldn't have to worry about any of this at all, Sephiroth. Not Deepground or wars. Or killing someone or preventing the return of the Calamity. Stopping the planet from dying because humans are foolish and greedy.
[ Don't mistake those words for denying that's the reality that's being faced. ]
You're just a kid. I know it doesn't change much to tell you that. But... you should know that no one who cares wants you... wants you to be in this spot. To be able to do this alone.
[ His gaze shifts to the meal. Probably still barely eaten if at all. Vincent for himself had only put together a small plate mostly for companionship and he hadn't touched it yet. ]
Say the word. And I'll not stop until I find a way to come to your time. Or... if you need a moment... an hour or a day to just do something else. No planning for the future. Because it's fine to take those moments. It's... sometimes important to. We did.
[ 'They'. Cloud and the others. And even grumpy, cold Vincent Valentine. ]
no subject
[There's a twitch, a flicker of some unpleasant dark feeling at Vincent's touch, but he doesn't shrug it off. He's managed to eat a couple things but mostly it's just getting moved around. Eating while under enough stress simply didn't happen.]
'Shouldn't' doesn't matter, and you can't get to my time anyway. I have to. I want to, if there's anything I can do ... I can't not do it. Wasting time with frivolous distraction is not okay.
[His life didn't value as high as that of so many others, and though it hurt to think about, that part didn't bother him - that it meant the cessation of all else did. If he dwelt on it too long, the selfishness led to ribbons of resentment ... but what did anyone do to deserve that?
The things Nero had only hinted at..
But the truth is never so sweet and pure and selfless, and with the compulsion is the rest. The selfish, pathetic child underneath it that he could barely tolerate if he thought about it much.]
But I wish I didn't have to. I just ... wanted to live a normal life. Do all the things normal people get to do, plan for a future, look forward to growing up.. I don't want to die.
[The resignation tinges with something like despair. He raises one hand to his eyes, rubbing the bridge of his nose as if it would somehow help.]
I don't know if life isn't fair, or if it is and this is the price for the things I normally would have done. To feel even a fragment of what I made others endure.
no subject
[ Sephiroth can kill Hojo. But did Hojo have anything to do with why he was without his friends when the fated moment came? Vincent doesn't know these things.
But they're moving on and for better or worse, the truth has kicked in again. Vincent couldn't say he'd forgotten about it. And deep down he also couldn't claim that he wasn't in some way wanting to hear the answers while they couldn't be avoided.
Though he feels the trace of dark emotion when contact is made, seem to grow for the moment, Vincent lets it continue. He'll draw back if it becomes too much; that is one of the least of benefits to this bond. ]
Reality makes that true. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't hear it from someone. And you want so badly to save... as much as you can. Everything if it was possible.
[ And that level of compassion is so terrible in its wonder that Vincent's grief for Sephiroth is, in a moment, palpable even without the bond. ]
I know. [ Quietly. ] And you should hear this too. It's okay to wish for those selfish things. To not have to do this. Even something like this. To want... a normal life and grow up, have kids maybe.
[ Something... poignant about that. ]
Don't take this to mean I think I went through the same thing, Sephiroth. But... I wanted a normal life too. [ He didn't dream of becoming a Turk as a child. Does anyone? ] And to not die. Maybe have a future with the one I loved.
[ Can he be blamed if his gaze slides as if to seek out the portrait of a certain woman? For just a second, even if it's not in sight. But Vincent is swift to refocus. ]
...If the Planet is saying you have to feel the pain of what the future you did in another reality, then it is definitely cruel.
[ And they can be frustrated by that or angry or bitter but... it's a planet. What can be done? It likely does not 'think' on such levels as a human might consider normal. ]
But for better or worse, I doubt that's the case. Everything you're dealing with right now is because the Fox decided to pick certain ones of us and bring us all here. But... I'm not entirely blaming her, either.
[ Not really. Not anymore than you can blame a planet. ]
Do you want to give up on the idea of having friends? Or do you feel like you have to?
[ He doesn't ask if Sephiroth fears it. That, in its own way, has been answered countless times. ]
no subject
But only a measure. He hates the compulsion, almost as much as he hates knowing it's not okay to want to deviate from what he had to do. To entertain even for a moment such self-centered wishes as not having to do any of it. Vincent was biased, and wouldn't say so, so he only shakes his head slightly. It's not okay.
He can guess who the loved one was, in that brief retelling. Who that future was supposed to be with.
Sephiroth wasn't the only one she left behind. Maybe Vincent wondered why as often as he did. Why none of them were enough to keep her anywhere they could find her.]
Nature is cruel, so it'd balance. Nature's not compassionate to the prey ripped open and eaten alive by its predator, and doesn't extend care either to the starving predator. Pain is ... the planet's method of teaching. Why should I be any different?
[He struggled to consider the planet as anything more than nature's laws, red in tooth and claw, that it could think, could plan, could really deliberately cause any of this besides instinctive vindictiveness was strange.
But a wounded animal, lashing out at its tormenters? At the thing that nearly killed it? Sure.
He didn't blame Thirteen at all, but Vincent's words get a low noise of acknowledgment at least.]
If it wasn't for the Fox, a lot of people would die who don't have to.
[It was more than he thought he could carry, but the Fox seemed to have faith in him even if he had none in himself. If they were to meet their greatest potential and return with it, then if no-one else did, Thirteen was certain he could overcome.
Somehow it wasn't reassuring.
Or the follow-up question.]
I don't want friends. [It's true and True; he can't lie. But there's pain lanced through it, though it doesn't show in his voice.] I don't have time for friends. And the ones I'm supposed to have weren't any help anyway. I don't want to do things that I know will make it harder later. Getting attached to someone only to have them leave hurts.
[It's not a pain he'd been taught how to resist.]
I'd have gone, if .. any of them asked me to. If Lucia insisted, if Matt said it was logical, if Glenn ... could look at me with anything but disgust. I thought they were my friends. And they left. The next ones will leave too. Or I'll have to leave them here, like I have to leave you here; either way I'll be alone. What's ... what's the point except to prove the Professor's right?
no subject
No reason to think you're any different. I guess that's what I mean. The Planet isn't treating you any different than it would anyone else.
[ It's honestly not the best sort of normal. But at the same time, it is not because the Planet hates Sephiroth for what some other him did and is thus taking it out on him. As for the Fox? ]
Well, I won't argue with that. Things will be different for your time, because of her. If she's the one behind you going back and remembering, then she's trying to help. In her own way.
[ Vincent then closes his eyes. Everything is true means he has to accept Sephiroth's answer as genuine; even if the bond itself weren't expressing how much truth is present in the bitter words. The pain, too but...
He probably wouldn't mind punching Glenn right now. Not that he didn't comprehend how it happened to be perceived, but...
Anyway if he punched Glenn he'd have to punch himself, probably. Why are all the adults in Sephiroth's life hypocrites? ]
Friends...
[ He pauses. Then begins again. ]
True friends don't need to be there to be with you. Even if we want them to. Sometimes they die or need to go somewhere you'll never see them again. It's not as if I can promise I'll find a way to your time. I can't even promise that one day you'll leave Folkmore and not... return.
[ It's always a fear. Not that Sephiroth will come back as the madman Vincent remembers witnessing. But that the young man before him will be sent back and never return.
There would be no more way to guarantee the Fox would tell him what became of Sephiroth than there is somehow reaching out to communicate with that place. ]
When we part one day, or any time you go back to your world, I want you to remember. I'm always going to be thinking of you. Not what you become or as 'Sephiroth'. But the you I've come to know. Remember and... let it give you strength.