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

[steepwithdead]

I would, [always, tbh] but I would much prefer not to force you to host if the company bothers you. Considering this forced truth nonsense going on. [He pauses, glancing around.] I've noticed you don't get out much lately.

[therewerefifty]

The company does not bother me. [She pauses, the sentence rattling off easily enough, but she's somewhat... relieved, actually, that that's the truth.] I am not avoiding company, I am... avoiding Folkmore.

[Makes perfect sense. After a moment, she adds:] I am afraid of what its magic may do to... my self-control.

[steepwithdead]

Ahh. Because of the one you nearly killed?

[Yeah, he didn't miss that, it was purposeful.]

[therewerefifty]

[She doesn't flinch. Looks more tired, maybe, but she'd practically invited the question. Because blurting all her crimes seems rather easy today.]

My husband's killer is here in Folkmore. I do not begrudge her his death. [And again, it's somewhat relieving to know this for a fact; that the river was an overflow of emotions and just extremely poor timing. So she takes a breath, and the next admission comes easier.] He was not a good man. I know that. He knew that. He killed her parents years ago, and I know... if anyone was going to kill him, he'd prefer that it was her.

So...I didn't mean to try. But she found me in the river when I was lost to grief, and immediately started crying about her parents. It was... too raw. [You know, there you are, crippled by loss, and this teenager wades up to you and makes it all about her. Then suddenly, you find an outlet and you're not so crippled anymore. You're just angry.]

I've spent months telling her she has no vengeance to fear from me, and then I try to drown her in a river. It's best she doesn't have to see me again.

[steepwithdead]

[He listens quietly all the while, as he is wont to do, and when she finishes, he makes a long, thoughtful noise.]

I'm sorry for your loss. [First and foremost.] You have been forced into this world to endure an unusual challenge, and that I agree is something worthy of fear. What I disagree with is the concept that self-isolation will spare you.

[therewerefifty]

[That causes her to give him a startled blink.]

I don't care about sparing myself. I just want her to be comfortable here.

[steepwithdead]

[Little bit of (x) to doubt, there.]

Why did she approach you to begin with?

[therewerefifty]

[Shh, she's terrible at self-awareness.]

She saw me in pain and wanted to help.

[steepwithdead]

Has she reached out to you since?

[therewerefifty]

Several times. I didn't answer the door for the first few, but then she caught me out in the garden. [Though she sounds rueful rather than annoyed.]

Some peace was found. She brought me seeds to plant. They're doing well.

[steepwithdead]

[Ma'am.]

It sounds like she's not the one carrying the discomfort.

[therewerefifty]

She is. [Said quietly.] She's just... braver than I am. More reckless with her life, certainly.

[And ah, it took her a moment to get the inference behind that statement, and she glances at him.] I don't mean to say I am not uncomfortable. But Rin deserves a good life free of more pain. She's already been through enough. I am a complication and a reminder.

[And apparently prone to attempted murder.]

[steepwithdead]

You can avoid her if you really think that's necessary, but the answer isn't to hide away in your home. You have your own life to live. Do you think yourself undeserving?

[therewerefifty]

[Asking such questions on Tell The Truth Day, gosh.]

Yes.

[steepwithdead]

[He doesn't even feel bad about it.]

Then that is a hurdle you must overcome. Otherwise you are going to wilt.

[therewerefifty]

[She makes a thoughtful sound.]

You didn't ask why. [Not a statement she would normally bluntly make, but hey, today is (forcibly) special.] I appreciate that.

[steepwithdead]

That just seems rude to do. [Especially right here, right now. He will bully very gently, though:] Is there a part of you that thinks maybe it might help to talk about it?

[therewerefifty]

...I don't truly know.

[But nOw yOu mAkE hEr ThInK aBoUt It--]

I know that the things I have done cannot just be forgotten, but I thought I could at least... set them aside here. Try for a life where such things are not expected. But I am also told that I am a villain's wife, and thus that is what I will always be, no matter my actions.

I think the person who told me that has a very narrow world view. I set out to prove him wrong and I end up nearly killing a child. So I don't... know what to do.

[steepwithdead]

[he he he he JUST AS PLANNED-]

We are all of us imperfect creatures. When you find yourself at a standstill, the best thing to do is better. You know how it feels now to nearly kill a child. Are you less likely to try again, with that knowledge going forward?

[It's a grim question, but the important ones often are.]

[therewerefifty]

[She outright flinches at the question, and her voice is sharp for a moment before she smooths it out.]

Were I in my right mind, I'd not have tried the first time. Even at my worst--

...at my worst, she intervened in my attempt to kill a man. I refused to go through her. I don't kill children.

[steepwithdead]

Hmm. [Reassuring, admittedly. She hadn't really struck him as someone who would take pleasure in that sort of killing, though.] You've said over and over that you tried to. What made you stop?

[therewerefifty]

[Dangit, stop making her think about this stuff, introspection is for losers >:|

...it's her, she's a loser.]

It was... an emotional reaction. I couldn't control myself. I didn't want to control myself. [That gives her pause.]

I think it's the only time I've ever had such a reaction. [Said with some dread; a woman who's spent her life restraining herself. The loss of control is more frightening than the attempted murder, all things considered.

...never mind. She's answering the question.] Unless you're using a blade, death can take a long time. Drowning a girl takes minutes. My rage... couldn't blind me for that long. And I care about her well being.

[Probably helps nobody could actually drown in that river (most pathetic attempted murder ever) but Makie doesn't actually know that part.]

[steepwithdead]

[We're all losers here, Makie, deal with it.

He considers all of that for a handful of moments, rolling the words over in his mind. It's a lot, that's true. But it's important for these things to be laid bare. Wounds you hide without treating can only fester.]

Is that not an answer on its own? You were lost in your emotions for a time, but you saw through what was happening and found yourself before it was too late. You learned. You spared her. To me, what matters most is the final choice, whether the scales tip towards life or death. Those who live can decide to forgive you. For those you spare, you can more easily forgive yourself.

[therewerefifty]

[It feels arrogant, to forgive herself for the sparing. But though his words make sense--and she truly doesn't hate herself for what happened at the river, she did pull back-- what she feels more is fear.]

What if I can't next time?

[steepwithdead]

In my experience, it is hardest to do a thing the very first time. Every time after becomes easier, faster. Have some faith in yourself, what you know of your own will.