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RULE UPDATE [8/3/2022]
Once again, pretty self-explanatory thread. Your character tells the next character a secret about themselves, they respond, and so the cycle continues with them.
RULES AND GUIDELINES:
- Keep NSFW to a minimum -- suggestions, implications, and innuendos are generally fine, but keep in mind that minors have access to this thread.
- Romantic interactions are allowed, but only between adult characters.
- Sensitive or gory interactions are also allowed, but must be put under a spoiler or blacked out.
- Remember to post IC! The IC button is on top of the field where you write your post, just switch it on and select the character you wish to use.
- There is a five sentence minimum in your response to the character above!
- As a general suggestion, not quite a rule, however, please try to match half the post of the person you are responding to.
- You may only post every three posts or three days after the last post, not three days after your own.
- Example: [You] [x] [x] [x] [You] or You [x] [x] [three days pass] [You]
- You may post a "claim" to avoid getting sniped, but please do not take too long on it!
- You will be pinged here with a reminder after twelve hours of an unfinished claim. After twenty-four hours of an unfinished claim, you can be skipped by the next person.
- You must prove that you have read the post that you have responded to. Your post must contain elements of the post above and/or the above character's information.
- Be kind to your fellow players, but know that in-character views are not their own out-of-character. Just because their character's rude to yours doesn't mean they themselves feel that way!
- Do not skip over users who have you blocked or who you have blocked. Wait for someone else to respond to them before posting.
- I supervise this thread as much as I can, but if you spot problems, please either DM or ping me.
Tazzi didn’t register Casey’s presence at first. She spoke to lots of people every day, but they were not typically the ones to initiate the conversation. Casually leaning against a wall, she surveyed her surroundings in obvious boredom, zoning out for a few moments before she jumped at the sound of the vampire’s voice.
He seemed awfully nervous, like he was about to be arrested by a nonexistent officer any minute. Without interrupting, Tazzi listened carefully to his words, feeling a twinge of sympathy for the man. Some parts of his confession weren’t easy to understand, but the word “coven” popped up. That word was usually associated with vampires. That would...explain a lot.
Before she could respond, he was saying he had to go. Tazzi snapped her gaze to him, jogging up next to him.
”Wait, listen...I won’t tell anyone, obviously, but...I can sort of relate. I’ve never been in your situation, but I always had trouble fitting in with my old crowd.” Her thoughts momentarily drifted to the Jedi Order. “People have assumed before that I‘m some sort of villainous woman just because of how I look. So, I sort of get it. But just because people make assumptions about you doesn’t mean that you need to be who they think you are. Ignore them; if you want to leave your, ah, coven, just do it! It sounds like maybe they’re the reason you’re hurting people, so tell them to screw themselves and leave!” It was perhaps reckless advice, but she needed him to hear it.
”I-I hope you’re able to find a solution, but at least consider my advice?” she offered, her brows furrowing in concern. “And for the record, I don’t think you’re evil.”
“They should have never made me a Jedi Knight.”
The slurred words that spilled past her lips never left her mind before now, but alcohol made Tazzi considerably more talkative and emotional. She stared at the person beside her, grief flooding her multicolored gaze.
”I was sixteen. Sixteen! They needed me to be a knight so I could help them fight. There was a war going on. But it messed me up...god, it messed me up...” She trailed off, looking at something in the distance.
”I was j-just a kid, y’know? And all I’ve ever known is war, so now that it’s over, I feel like I have no purpose. It took away my friends, my master, everyone I cared about, and even after all these years I feel so...”
She searched for the word, eyes misting over.
”...empty.”
His attention was directed towards Tazzi, who didn't seem to be in their right state of mind. It wasn't surprising, really, to see someone behave this way especially in a bar. Benny had no idea how he allowed himself to get dragged in a situation like this. The reason why he was here in the first place was to gather more information on his prey, but here he was, listening to an intoxicated woman babbling about her problems.
Although he didn't know what in the world a 'Jedi knight' was, it sounded pretty troublesome. He quirked an eyebrow as she described her experience miserably, nodding passively as he took in the information. Tazzi kept these feelings bottled up for God-knows-how-long. Perhaps he was the first to listen to such ramblings?
"I'm probably the last person you'd want to talk to about matters like this," he spoke in a very lax tone, amused by her drunken state. "But I must say, nobody deserves to experience war at such a young age. I'm sure you've still got some purpose in your life, so don't be too discouraged, love." He directed his attention for a moment before proceeding. "Don't tell anyone I said this. I won't take it too kindly."
"Sometimes I miss my home, wondering what kind of life I've had before being turned." He appeared to be looking at something far across the distance, as if in a trance. "I haven't got anything to remember it by, except for this little pendant here." Benny gently lifted his accessory, making it easier for you to see its features. "Ridiculous, I know. I should probably stop thinking about this. It'll only make me weak."
The weather was nice today. The two sat on the stone fence, watching the sun gradually disappear over the beach, casting a wide array of colors through the sky. An occasional wind blew through the air, not too cold, not too hot. It was a beautiful time of day, yet something about it was so melancholic. Maybe that's why Benny was willing to talk about himself.
Ennette glanced at him. He looked so lost in thought. Now that she thought about it, she didn't know very much about him at all, did she? What exactly did he mean by turned...?
Her eyes flickered to the pendant he held up. She'd always seen him wear it, but never thought too much about it. So it reminded him of home... Slowly, she reached a hand towards him, to hold his or maybe his arm and reassure him of her presence, but nerves caused her to recoil. Not yet.
"You know," she said softly, "I never knew my mom. She died after giving birth to me, and the only thing I have to remember her by is my lyre. Whenever I play it, I feel like I can sometimes feel her presence, like she's playing with me." She shook her head and smiled at him. "I don't think it's ridiculous to treasure something that reminds you of something special, and I don't think it makes you weak, either. I think it makes you strong, like you're keeping close to your roots." She brushed some hair behind her ear. "Could you tell me a little more about your home?"
"You should be careful when coming to the castle," Ennette said with a deep frown on her face. She looked around before leaning in and whispering, "There's a thief there. Someone keeps coming in and taking the jewelry there. I think it's someone my dad considers a friend, but he's just taking advantage of him. I haven't gotten any proof, yet, so don't spread this around!"
Roswell fidget with his new found green hair ribbon in his pockets while eying her drawings intensely. "Well oi'm not really a cook," the thief admitted. "I do run a soup Kitchen back 'ome but oi'm more de planner and uh boss, not the chef," he said with an apologetic smile. He crammed the ribbon in between some jewelry he just, happened, to have in his pockets as well. With his hands now free, Roswell took the paper. Putting it close to his face study it. "But Oi'm sure me partner Xander would love to try it out," he assured Aura with a smile. "He loved to bake, yer know." Roswell folded the paper tightly before pocketing it, as he had done with Aura's ribbon not so long ago.. Or En's jewelry before that. The Palace watchers wallet hang in Roswell's belt and he had a new set of rings. Void knows where he got those. "Oh and Stud Muffin?" He called her. "Don't tell Ennette that yer saw me 'ere. Oi wanted to surprise her dad, yer know." By stealing and breaking your friends trust? Got it. He gave Aura a one-eyed-man wink.
--
"Secrets? Secrets.. Well oi'm full of secrets," the old thief said. Flashing his teeth in a smile. For someone as greasy as Roswell, his teeth were remarkably straight (the only thing straight about him lets be real) and white. If you somehow could ignore the missing molar in the far back. "There are many little pathways in Drakenburg, or flea paths as we, gespuis, like to call it," he said. "Dey can get yer out of de city unseen and unheard. But if yer follow dem into de city, into de Buik. Yer would find de Hal, a old fabric dat closed down some 10 years ago," Roswell scooted a bit closer. His voice softened as he continued. "Der is a market dere, a big one were yer can buy goods. Stolen, smuggled yer name it. Bullets too." Roswell eyes you before he continued. "But when yer in de Hal yer have to look up. Above De market der is another pathway. One made of wood and supporting beams. Crawling with thieves," Roswell said. His smile growing into a wicked grin. "Me thieves. And they are for 'ire yer know."
"Oh, you're a thief?" Philomena chuffed, tilting his head over to face the grinning second party. She, admittedly, felt intrigued upon hearing of the secret paths and the abandoned fabric shop—though she was not sure about what to do with this information. She thought that, perhaps, she could check it out sometime.
The canine raised her chin upwards, her eyebrows raised at the human.
"Thieves for hire, eh? Hm, looks like you got a solid underground business going, my dude. I'll keep your secret safe as long as you keep your thieves away from me."
-------------------
"Okay, secrets, hm?" Philomena chuffed, planting her hands on her hips. After briefly tugging on her sleeve, Philomena continued,
"My clothes are custom made! I befriended a tailor, and he makes all my crop tops. I guess you could say we're in cahoots with each other. I benefit his business, and he makes mine stellar! He knows a tad bit about feminine clothing, but I helped him expand his knowledge!"
Nav looked at the canine, a suprised look on his face. He brushed his own clothes down with his hands, a pout on his face. His companion, a nervous looking man with sleek black glasses, sighed at the other's action. "He's worn that outfit for months. I don't even think he's showered since he got it.." Nav looked at Ferris with a hurt look before huffing and crossing his arms. "Sorry. I won't lie for you. As soon as you can talk yourself you can lie alllll you want." Ferries teased. He looked back at the canine. "Your clothes are beautiful. You should praise your designer more.. and maybe get me a business card?"
___
Nav huffed again, or at least he made the gesture of such, and waited until Ferris was busy messing with his radio to share his secret. He made a couple elaborate movements with his hands, and his expression made it clear that he was sharing a secret that was probably about Ferris and probably pretty bad. But he soon realised that only the other could understand him, and had been paying attention. With a red face, Ferris slapped Nav's hands down, shooting him a dirty look, and turned his attention away. "Sorry. What he wanted to say, was that he once flirted with a mannequin for half an hour before-" He was cut off when Nav growled at him and grabbed him by the face, shutting him up, and tried to wrestle him to the ground. Ferris only laughed. He freed himself from the others grasp and Nav fell to the ground, dazed.
"Sorry. Excuse him. He gets feral sometimes." Obviously it was supposed to mock him, and Nav just looked upset from his place, propping himself off the ground with his arms.
Korrina held her fingers to her lips, holding back a meek giggle as she observed the two men, in particular sending glances to poor, fiesty Nav. She couldn't understand completely, feeling like a bystander rather than somebody participating in conversation, but she was amused at the very least.
A final sly look was given to Nav as he lifted himself defeatedly from the carpet, before she cooed to him, "Is that true?" She hoped it was. She hoped it wasn't. "For your sake, I'd think not!" she then exclaimed, "I wouldn't want to think of such a good gentleman so poorly! Flirting with mannequins... Going 'feral' as your companion calls it..." She moved her hand away from her face and laid atop the other in her lap. Her eyes shifted back to red-faced Ferris. "It seems you didn't want your friend to say such things, hm? How cruel of him..."
She had her suspicions, though, as her eyes lingered on Ferris for just a bit longer. The look of someone caught, of someone trying to defend themselves... It was familiar in a silly sort of way, and so she remained silly as well.
"I don't want to punish you for picking on your friend." she said, "But, I will if I have to!"
"It's interesting how degenerate men can be." Korrina said to her guest. Her tone teetered between sweet and cold, ending on a raspy laugh. "The men around these parts, especially. My husband, especially. Gods, he is the worst of them. Worse than his brother and his father... They would at least have the courage to claim their bastards."
She eased out another laugh, this one smoother than the last. "I obtained an envelope -- the story of how I did doesn't need to be told, but I did, and..." She trailed off for a moment, catching her breath as she settled down. She bit her lip in that silent second, before hissing out, "He has a love child now. A babe. He tried to keep it from me, but I have two pairs of eyes and two pairs of ears..."
And then, like clockwork, tears welled up in her doe eyes, and she sighed shakily, "Could you believe that he would betray me? Disgrace me? Every time I hear of his lovers, I feel mocked and humiliated... But you--" She offered them a saddened smile. "You're here for me, aren't you? I only need someone..."
"Y'know," Hibiki drawled, pausing to tip back his head to get at the last drops of alcohol, "I have no fucking clue what you just said. But good for you, darling. Glad you got that lamp or what not. In the back of your head, too? Most people only have eyes there, but you got a whole ass genie lamp. Wouldn't happen to have a spare wish for me to use?"
Something glinted in his eyes, something Nahm'jehl couldn't name and wasn't sure he wanted to. Hibiki looked drunk, had flushed cheeks and slightly slurred words to match the empty glasses beside him, but there was something about the steadiness of his hands that nagged at Nahm'jehl. Best leave that topic alone. There was no telling what this man would do with the power of a wish in his hand.
There was something comforting, he thought, about posting your secrets online under throwaway accounts. No names. No places. Just a random string of numbers for each secret that spilled from his fingers.
At first, it was on a whim. The lies were growing bigger, lodging in his throat and choking him further with every new one he told. Alcohol helped, but it wasn't like he could be drunk all the time. He needed to tell someone. Anyone would do, as long as they were a stranger. So he made a throwaway on a forum and blurted out the truth.
The next day, he threw away his phone, too aghast at what he did to look at it any further.
To his surprise, it helped. He could breathe a little better, sleep a little smoother. So the next time he startled awake from dreams that grabbed his neck with burning hands and squeezed — he unlocked his phone with trembling fingers and told a sea of strangers his secrets. One by one, the things he couldn't even tell the people he called family, he let loose for millions of people to see. At first, he felt too guilty to scroll through the comments. But nowadays, wandering the streets in an attempt to stave off another bout of sleeplessness, he scrolls through his own posts. He laughed at the conspiracies and attempted explanations. Winced when someone hit too close to home. And the ones offering advice? Ignored outright. He was a sinner kneeling at a confessional. If he wanted advice, he'd get a goddamn therapist.
Pulling up a new tab, he created a new throwaway, grabbing the fog that was plaguing his thoughts this week and forcing it into words.
「 I killed my brother. Not literally, but I might as well have. I robbed him of a childhood. Of a kind future. I think of what he could have had and I want to wrap his hands around a knife and point it at my throat. It's a useless apology, but I'd do it anyways. If only I had been stronger. I should have left with him earlier. Nothing can be worse than what I made him live through. 」
He wondered if anyone would read his words and think "Hibiki."
Thirteen. Hibiki stopped skimming and actually read the comment when he saw that number. A kid at that age? God, humans really were disgusting, but the analogy was surprisingly accurate. He might not be in the exact position that the commenter thought he was (he was the older brother, which made things worse) but the "grow up right then and there" aspect was all too much there.
He ignored the suggestion to talk to his brother. What a shitty thing to bother him with.
Trigger warning for (brief) mention of abuse!
Seeing it worded like that, it really makes it sound so much more painful. Like...a part of the guy kind of died, rather than the whole person.
Zinnia paused, raising a finger up and nudging it in between her lips. What she just wrote didn't really sound like it helped console the stranger she was writing to.
Similar experience happened to a guy I knew. Ex-girlfriend was abusing him and taking advantage of his kindness. He took it all, saying that it was so worth it because it made her happy. Ended up having a baby before he turned 13. As soon as he gained custody of the kiddo, he had to grow up right then and there. When I first heard him tell this to me, I admittedly... didn't take it well. I'm not supposed to be telling anyone this, please keep it to yourself.
The deed has already been done, and as much as you really wish that things went differently, in reality, life wouldn't be that different. Good luck to you, and I hope you talk to your brother about this.
----------------
"Ooh, ooh, pro tip: if you are making peanut brittle, don't add too much sea salt! Oh my goodness, I remember something really funny," the teenager chuffed, placing her hands underneath her jaw so that she could support her head.
"Okay, so one time, I was making some, and then I saw that my mom left out some sea salt in a container. Anyways, I decided that I really wanted to experiment. Complete lapse of judgement on my part, I added a whole ton in the mix while it was heating up. I probably should have measured, bit I didn't. All I know is that I poured in a whole ton. Oh my goodness, it was so salty that it made my tummy ache. Don't make my mistake."
"Oh my...Well, I can assure you that your secret is safe with me." Windii smiled, looking at Nico before sitting beside him in a way to try and comfort him. "Hey, tell anyone you'd like."
--
Windii sighed, xey were never a huge fan of telling a secret to anyone, but, Windii mustered up the courage to tell the person a secret. "Well...My secret is that my eyes glow red in the dark...It's a scary sight, I know, but it's a species thing!" Windii tried to make it seem like it was really nothing.
"Why would I find it scary?" Shad looked at Windii over the book in his hand, genuine confusion in his eyes. "It's not as if it's rare. A large number of animals have eyes that glow in the dark. It's not an uncommon trait in my species as well, though not everyone has it. Are people in your world really afraid of such a thing? My, that's unfortunate. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help."
The pity in his voice would have been insulting if he didn't sound so damn concerned.
The tall man ducked under the overhang, dragging a cello case behind him. He fussed over it for a moment, making sure that no water had found an opening to squeeze through, before squeezing the water out of his clothes and resigning himself to waiting out the unexpected downpour.
"Coming from a performance?"
"Hm?" Shad looked up at the other's question as he pushed his dripping bangs out of his eyes. "Ah, yes, I suppose you could say so."
"That was a yes or no question."
At that, he laughed. "Well, it certainly was a performance. A word of advice, though. Don't talk to shady people with big instrument cases. Snipers hide their rifles in such things, you know? I'd hate to read about your death in the news."