folkmeme | Truth Meme

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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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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.

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. ]

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?

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.

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.]

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.

I would show you even more gentleness, if you allowed it, if I didn't worry you would shy away and feel as though I was doing too much for you. I've often wanted to ask you to sit back and relax and allow me to massage around your knee after we've sparred, or after I've had you on your knees for a while. I'd enjoy spending that time on your hair as well.

[Well, at least he could be sure that Zechs knew he meant it and wasn't just saying it to be kind or make him feel better.]

[ Zechs sighed, a soft sound at himself instead of Quattro; ] It's easier knowing it's something you want. I don't know why I am the way I am, and I often find it as frustrating as you might. Yet we're both unable to lie, and now that I know you truly want to give that comfort to me - as strange as I think that is - I don't want to deny you.

It is one of the many benefits of our sexual rendezvous that you always insist on that comfort afterward. I'm incredibly grateful. [ Even if he looked embarrassed admitting it. ]

If our positions are reversed, I know you would do the same for me. I know you enjoy it, and I'm glad if this leads to you being less reluctant to accept it when it's something we both enjoy.

[Quattro is aware of his own selfishness, but he keeps his worst impulses in check. One of them has to know how to step on the breaks, and he doesn't think it's going to be Zechs.]

Especially since you're so accommodating when I'm actually being selfish in my requests. That has it's own set of problems, though. I wish I could be sure you would tell me if something was too much, or you didn't enjoy something or didn't want to do it. I wouldn't have to hold back as much.

If I think I'm selfish in what I allow you to do - then you surely cannot be selfish in doing so. I realize only now that this word is perhaps meaningless in this context - we're both doing what we want. [ He blinked a little as the truth was revealed to him like this, looking surprised. ]

[ And then ... chagrined. ]

It had never been my intention to have you hold back, merely by being eager. For the first time, I think I can take advantage of this curse to my benefit. Would you believe me if I gave you my word, as I am so affected now, that I will tell you if I disliked something, or if you went beyond my limits?

[Quattro grins when Zechs finally realizes what Quattro has known for quite a while. He's been giving Zechs paths to justify his way into things he clearly wanted almost from the start.

Then he frowns.]

When we both want the same thing, are we both being selfish, or are neither of us? I rather hate that kind of philosophical tail-chasing, it simply loops back in on itself with no answer.

[He wants to say yes to the question, but that's not what comes out after Zechs asks if Quattro would believe him. He's not good at trusting people.]

I don't know.

[Quattro is silent for a moment, because he has to really consider it to arrive at the truth.]

If you did, you would obviously mean it now, but I'm well aware that it's possible to intend to do one thing and then to change your mind and do another later. Yet I also know you are very strict with yourself, and would hate to fail at doing something you said you would do. So, yes. If you told me now that you would do that to the best of your ability, I would believe you.

[It's Quattro's turn to be a little surprised by what he's said, even if he can't fault his own truth-compelled logic.]

Neither us, I believe. Much of philosophy is that sort of tail chasing, in my opinion, but logic seems to say neither of us are selfish in that.

[ Zechs would try and meet his gaze squarely. ]

To the best of my ability. You have my word.

Edited 2025-02-17 00:05 (UTC)

[Hearing Zechs say that, and mean it, is a relief for Quattro. He smiles at Zechs and reaches up to gently brush some of the hair that hangs down in front of his face back to tuck it behind an ear.]

You are extremely appealing when you're really enjoying yourself. The more of a good time you're having the hotter you are- although I do also imagine what you might've looked like when you wore a red uniform and a mask. If it would be as obvious when you're turned on with so much of your face covered.

[Quattro latches on to the immediate desire to apologize instead of continue talking about red uniforms and masks.]

I'm sorry. I hope that wasn't difficult for you to hear. The part about the mask and uniform, obviously, not about you enjoying yourself.

It’s quite all right. [ This time, he didn’t even look flustered. Zechs gave him a tiny, rueful smile. ] I had plenty of admirers when I wore that mask and uniform, even if I think they mainly were drawn to the power behind my rank and the skills I possessed. Nonetheless. I was once quite appealing to many no matter their reasons.

[ Then, he frowned thoughtfully for a moment. ] I don’t wish to wear that mask again. When it shattered, I said it was the friendship between myself and Treize which shattered - in truth, it was the entire situation where I had to compromise my ideals by serving in Romafeller’s private army that shattered.

He no more believed in them than I did, and I am not angry at him for supporting them at that time anymore.

[ Soft snort. Even though he’s forced to tell the truth, this was also true; ] You likely don’t care about the political squabbles on my world. You just appreciate the uniform. It was well designed.

I care about the effect those political squabbles had on you and others, and I would not ask you to wear the mask. I can't deny my curiosity about your mask's appearance, but I'm glad I won't ever have to see you in it even though I still wish that I somehow could.

[Quattro manages to hide how surprised he is at that for a moment, but.]

I thought that it was only your feelings on the mask that would bother me, but I suppose it's impossible to run fast enough or far enough to flee from a haunting memory. I'd like to kiss some more but I'm not sure I can stop talking long enough to try.

Don’t tempt the fox, with my luck the next trial will now feature the mask. [ It was true, he did think that it’d be a new way to torture him if she so felt like it. Even if he’s joking about it for the moment.

[ Zechs was determined to help keep Quattro’s privacy. ]

We could kiss. We could fuck. You could tell me instead the lengths you’re now eager to go with my promise on hand, I’d far more like to hear that then I ever would want a secret from you involuntarily given.

That is very unfair, I will be unhappy with you if you don't also tell me the things you want me to do to you but haven't been able to bring yourself to ask for. I know you enjoy dangerous play, and pain, I've thought about going further or being harder on you than I have.

I would really like to fuck, but I'm concerned that this compulsion will cause one of us to veer into subjects that will kill the mood. Not enough to turn down sex, especially since I can get you to ask for things even if I feel bad about wanting to do that with this compulsion on you- You're very hot when you give in and ask.

[Quattro manages to sneak a quick kiss in there.]

All the fun things are in my closet, except you, of course.

I can’t help but tell you whatever truthful thing crosses my mind - so I’m also going to tell you things I want. But I’m often frustrated by my own ignorance of what that even is. The things we’ve discovered seem to be from trial and error.

[ Zechs felt a little relieved, frankly, that that’s clearly true and not an excuse. ]

I like being broken down to a point I have to give in. When things no longer feel like an option. It’s an illusion, but that illusion is - as if it is an excuse to give in, an allowance. I have figured this much out on my own.

Regardless of what we do, so long as we remain on topics which don’t distress us too greatly … [ He’s going to try and sneak in another kiss - ] … we can wait until this wears off. It seems illogical it’d be indefinite, nothing here is.

Less trial and error than you think- your excitement when I drew blood in our first bout was obvious. It was obvious you enjoyed challenges, not just the idea, but something that truly tested you.

The rest... I think I've come to understand the general shape of what you enjoy.

[Quattro catches the little kiss and returns with one of his own.]

This forced truth is a cruel mockery of what it is to truly understand one another. Both because it's difficult to know one's self and difficult to express all the complexity and nuances completely.

I wish I could have that again. I wish you could have that, even if it isn't with me.

That is entirely true and was just as obvious to me - after you had drawn blood. I hadn’t meant it to happen, and didn’t know before hand it would excite me so.

[ His eyes went wide as he spoke next, realizing something as the shape of it was voiced; ]

I wish I could give that connection to you, even if it unsettles me in many ways. You’re not meant to be shut off as you are, I would imagine. And at least you already, at least partly, understand me.

I'm not- if I were truly shut off, I would not be able to read your intent when we spar, or pick up on stray thoughts without realizing it. But, looking back, it's obvious now that the people whose company I found most enjoyable were those with some degree of Newtype potential.

Whenever we speak of this subject I can't help but think of Epyon, of the fact that you were part of a machine instead. You're clearly much more fond of your Tallgeese, but the form you take as a Myth... I worry that connection is too similar too what Newtypes experience, that you long for it the way I long for those whose souls have touched mine.

[Quattro grimaces and covers his face.]

I think it would help you let go of the past. I know I would be better off, even if it's unsettling to contemplate what would change between us, or how we might change one another.

I hadn’t been thinking of Epyon at all. [ He’s surprised in a different way by the suggestion. ] I certainly did not choose to appear like this as a Myth on purpose.

When I think of Epyon, those moments of weakness I yearn for it - [ Zechs made a face, he wanted to stop talking - ] - I think of the feeling of certainty. The idea the future could be known and controlled. The idea I could see very path, every risk, and understand its counter. I think of the reassurance of death it spoke to me.

I think of madness. Isolation. It was not a tool of connection or understanding anyone. I am terrified someone here could build it or any version of the ZERO system and I tried never to speak its name so you would not discover it. [ Zechs went pale. ]

[ But, he then sighed. ]

Change is inevitable, Quattro. The Epyon lied. We will constantly change, become new things to know and understand, and there’s no way to predict this. I wish I could let go of the past, and yet it keeps haunting us.

I can't deny a horrid curiosity towards it, even though I loathe the idea of it all the same. Even here, words fail to bring us to understanding. It would have had to interface with your mind to function like that, wouldn't it? That's the connection I speak of, not one of understanding, but the ruthless function of a war machine.

[Quattro leans against Zechs, trying to make himself stop talking and kiss him again.]

Change is the natural state of humanity, but that doesn't mean it's easy. The illusion of certainty and control is an appealing alternative to the ever-changing and unknowable present and future.

I'd be very happy, though, to explore together whatever changes such mutual understanding would bring us. If I could stop talking long enough to do so I would kiss you now, but the words won't stop and the more annoyed I am at my inability to stop talking the more words I have to say to express my feelings on the subject.

[Quattro is indeed stuck in a loop elaborating on his feelings about his inability to stop talking.]

Please let it remain only a horrid curiosity. If you were to try to bring it here, I would feel compelled toward it, like a moth toward a flame. I feel it would destroy what I’ve attempted to improve here.

[ But kissing appeared to work, if only a few moments, because Zechs would rather honestly be kissing Quattro than discussing that. ]

[ He curled fingers into Quattro’s hair. ]

I would be happy to explore that as well. You are particularly nice to kiss. It’s never quite the same. Sometimes it is almost tender, others sharp and playful - much like meeting your sword. You’ve shown me it can be more than a prelude, but an event in itself.

You've certainly turned what I intended as foreplay into a main event more than once, and I find you just as pleasing to kiss. Your skill with your mouth, your eloquence, and kissing, and anywhere else you use your mouth on me- if I didn't know how talented you are everywhere else I would be quite satisfied with only your mouth.

[Quattro manages to stop talking to actually kiss Zechs for a little longer, taking Zechs' lower lip between his lips and then gently between his teeth before kissing him more directly, even if Zechs attempts to speak while he does it.]

cw: discussion of sex

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cw: discussion of sadism and masochism and sex

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