quaranmeme | 002; elevator of forced honesty

Entry tags:

meme: forced honesty

002; elevator of forced honesty

elevator of forced honesty

» POST: a top level for your character(s)

» RESPOND: to other characters ICly. your characters are now trapped in an elevator together.

» UH OH: neither character can lie.

» ADDITIONAL, OPTIONAL COMPLICATIONS: at player discretion characters may also...
a. be unable to remain silent when asked questions
b. be unable to speak around the truth when answering
c. be compelled to reveal truths/secrets unprompted

THE POWER OF THE ELEVATOR COMPELS YOU.

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I'm invested in survival.

[ None taken. ]

Right, you're from a real shitty world.

[It's hard to remember sometimes, because even if Taako and Lup didn't exactly have an easy life, it wasn't at the level of casual talk of slaves and murder and whatever the hell went on in Rin's version of the Underdark.]

You know we're not a threat, yeah? You don't have to worry with us.

[He knows that Rin is friends with Lup, too, so he can speak for both of them here.]

[ He shakes his head, makes a 'tch' noise in his throat. ]

I actually don't know that. Not to any degree of satisfaction.

Well, truth bullshit, so... [He spreads his arms as if to encompass the whole thing.] I'm not saying we're not incapable of shit, but unless you start something, I don't see any reason to hurt you.

[ He rolls his eyes. ]

You can't hurt me. I won't let you.

[ He looks more and more agitated. His muscles are drawn taut, his arms are folded over his chest. He doesn't care about this apparently irresistible zone of truth effect, at least not insofar as it comes to Taako's motivations. Who honestly believes they're a betrayer? Hardly anyone. Yet it still happens all the time. ]

[He's not really sure what to say to that, just like he's not really sure what to do with how on edge Rin is, but, well.]

I get it.

[It's said softly, as Taako sighs, looking up at the ceiling instead of at Rin, as if that might give him a little space.]

But it's lonely, pretty sure we both know that, too.

[Not trusting people, keeping everyone at arm's length to avoid getting hurt. He remembers telling Ellie that letting people close was a mistake, but that was before he remembered Lup.]

[ He doesn't really want to say anything else, and it looks like he's fighting not to--like he's physically struggling against whatever compulsion is happening in this goddamn elevator. But it's too much. Charisma checks can't save him now.

He hisses through his teeth, exhausted. ]

Yes. It is. It's lonely.

[ He shuts his eyes. ]

But I've been alone for a long time.

I figured that one out on my own.

[He has no idea how his next move is going to be received but, well, worse case scenario he gets punched in the face, and that's not anything he can't handle.

So - Taako reaches out to rest a hand on Rin's arm.]

It's cool, if you don't ever trust me, I'm not gonna hold it against you.

[It sucks, but it's fair.]

[ He supposes it's not that hard to infer. He makes a habit of only staying a short while in anyone's life, for a number of reasons. Outliving his welcome is certainly among them, though.

He glances at Taako's hand, warm on his bicep. He inhales slowly, letting some of the tension drain out of his muscles. ]

I wouldn't say never.

[ Once again, he'd prefer it if he could just leave his response there. ]

It's not that I don't want to. I do. I just--I need--

[ He bites his lower lip, so hard it's liable to bleed. ]

I need to stay alive.

[Okay, awesome, not getting punched is great, but he's not going to push his luck just yet, so he leaves his hand where it is.]

What am I gonna do, bubbale? Not being a dick with that, I'm actually asking. I'm a shitty wizard and a chef, what's the worst I've got?

[It's not that Taako doesn't think he's incapable of fucking someone up, but he's pretty sure Rin is way more competent than he is and that he'd be dead before he could blink, if he tried anything.]

[ He smiles weakly, shrugging. ]

That's the problem. I don't know your worst.

[ He thinks back to what little he knows of the fight between Lucretia and Taako. Sure, Taako was clearly worse for the wear afterwards, but it still sounded like he got some (magic) punches in. And the gods only know what Lup can do. ]

But I do know that you're not a shitty wizard.

I've died almost twenty times, I can't be that good.

[There's a fine line he's walking between the truth and self-depreciation here, but he really doesn't think he's all that much of a threat to Rin.]

I'm not asking you to like, let me put a knife to your throat or whatever, just have a little faith that I'm not out to fuck you over?

That's pretty impressive.

[ He knows you can come back from death if you've got someone willing to pull you back, but he's pretty squarely focused on not even approaching that possibility. ]

I can try.

I feel like that's the best I'm gonna get, so - thank you.

[It bothers him, but not in a way where he's annoyed or frustrated, just that it makes him a little sad because he remembers how shitty it felt, to be so mistrustful.

If Rin were Lup or... anyone else, he might offer a hug, but instead he just gives his arm a gentle squeeze.]

Anything you want me to answer while we're stuck with this shit?

[ It's truly the best he can do--for now, anyway. There's too much fear, too much bitterness, too much paranoia. He struggles and strains against his upbringing, but the pull of blood is not so easily escaped.

He looks at Taako, thoughtful. ]

Seems wrong to take advantage. So I'll ask--do you want me to take advantage?

[ eyebrow waggle ]

[That hand on Rin's arm is now being used to (lightly) smack him.]

God, you fucking — [You're a dick is apparently a lie.

Taako huffs out a breath.] Yes. [Fuck.] Maybe. I don't know. I have no idea if you're actually into me or you just treat everyone like this.

[ Rin shrugs. ]

Little of column A, little of column B. You know you're attractive.

[He is very very glad that wasn't a question in any way, because Taako thinks I was, which isn't something he wants to say out loud.]

I'm also kind of fucking insufferable, sometimes. Don't-- you don't have to say anything on that topic while you can't lie, let's leave my ego in peace. But, you know, just cause I know how attractive I am - [Working his way around that one.] - doesn't mean everyone's gonna be into me, and you're pretty... you know.

[He kind of vaguely gestures at Rin but doesn't actually have a wrap up for that sentence. Rin just seems too cool for him sometimes.]

[ Rin doesn't think Taako's insufferable at all, but Taako also asked him not to speak to it, so he doesn't.

He just arches a brow. ]

I'm sure I don't know. But you've always been charming to me.

[ Well, he spoke on it anyway. Elevators. ]

You're very handsome, makes it pretty easy.

[To be charming.

But now that little flicker of worry over having to reveal the Wonderland bullshit is gone, Taako manages a grin.]

So you like me, huh?

[insufferable.]

Oh, I know.

[ He sees no reason for false humility here. ]

I was bred that way.

[ It's not quite genetic engineering, but it's close enough. ]

And--I like you as much as I let myself like anyone.

[ He'd like to stop himself now, but ... ]

Which is unfortunately more than I'd prefer.

Wow, that's a couple of kinda alarming things there, huh?

[Maybe the breeding thing more than anything, although it speaks more to Rin's parents than Rin himself, he imagines, except for like.... there was probably a lot of pressure there, growing up.

The second sentiment he understands a little more, because it's how he was after Sazed, until Magnus and Merle wormed their way back into his life. So he decides not to touch on the breeding thing and just - sighs.]

I get it, bubbale, and I don't-- I mean I feel like we're gonna end up going in circles here cause all I can do is promise I'm not gonna fuck you over but you're not gonna believe it cause – and I'm just guessing here based on my own shit – you don't have a good track record with trusting people. As much as my ego is enjoying the fact you do like me, nothing has to change if you're not chill with it, we can just keep doing what we're doing.

[Look at him, being considerate and shit. He's proud of himself.]

[ He just shrugs. Drow society is alarming, especially to people outside of it. ]

No, I don't. But that doesn't mean I don't want to try.

[ He'll just leave it at that. ]

Then give it a shot.

[It's an offering without making too much of a big deal out of it, because he (obviously) meant what he said about not needing anything to change.]

I'll give you like, one free stab if I do fuck you over.

[ He laughs, genuinely, a sound deep and warm and right from the gut. ]

All right, Taako. Let's see how it goes.

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spellslots - 2017-09-22 06:47 (UTC) - Expand

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