Forced Confessions

[spoofer]

Characters: Ensemble cast, any/all characters of Xistentia!
Summary: At the end of a spring-time mingle party, D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. unleashes a psychic weapon that forces characters to confess their secrets to one another. Check out the mod announcement for more information.
Date(s): First 2 weeks of April 2018
Warnings/Notes: Psychic influence/coercion, potential trauma, etc. in confessions. Please use subject header warnings appropriately!

Forced Confessions Event

I admit I'm on the rebound And I don't care

Five-Day Party

It begins with a party, out in the woods of Xistentia, with drinks, food, and fairy lights. The glade is illuminated in a brilliant palette of jewel tones, the most intense where the dancefloor stretches out between glow-in-the-dark marked trees, punctuated by F.A.T.E.S.' ever jarring, mismatched combination of musical tunes. Not far from that, you have enclosures of soft bedding set aside in mood-lit shadows, and veiled by mosquito net, for those of us who prefer more privacy.

The deeper nightclub colors fade to a warm, lustrous gold where there are spaces to sit, socialize, and eat.
Dining options feature treats from across the multiverse, including spice candy that will make your tongue feel just the faintest touch of a sting, native meats prepared with sauces and salts, and a variety of fruit and vegetables, some of which have a bioluminescent glow. Some of the wines are strong enough to knock a werewolf's metabolism on its ass— and these are marked with an audio sign, repeating the same warning over and over.

Other liquid refreshments include a blood bar, courtesy of Rafaello d'Este's local business.

Psychic Bomb: The Confessions (April 5-14)

But on the fifth evening, D.E.S.T.I.N.Y. strikes. There's a warning— only 10 minutes in advance-- over the network, even while the vast majority of revelers are a little too busy to pay any attention to their daemons.

A black ball of some writhing, metallic substance abruptly comes tearing through the atmosphere, the size of your average adult human curled into fetal position. As it breaks through layers of gas, it adopts an orange glow for a brief instant. It's easily lost in the canopy, even for the most agile and practiced of Xistentia residents. It's impossible to tell what it is. A faint whine fills the air, and a moment later, the projectile detonates. The scent of tar fills the forest along with shouts of dismay. And too little too late, F.A.T.E.S. warning system begins to blare that a contaminant has entered the atmosphere.

However, apart from a few bruises, panic and partial deafness, nobody seems harmed at all. That is, until the compulsion sets in.

Your secrets, both large and small, suddenly become wrenching fodder for impulsive speech... or signing, texting, any multitude of communication methods wind up hijacked. The worst of it comes when you face someone you know and love. Sheer willpower might stave off the urge long enough for your character to get out of range for conversation, and it might be a good time to avoid company for awhile. It will come randomly, in spikes, for 2 weeks to follow.

Feel free to use the confessions thread here to start some textspam trouble!

Bomb Resolution (April 12+)

A week later, F.A.T.E.S. and both magic and science-minded researchers have analyzed the goop. The worst of the epidemic is localized around the party, though psychic ripples continue to be felt across Xistentia for a few days.

And now we need cleanup.

It's a motley group of unlikely volunteers. Some people are just lucky— they have no secrets they fear to share, or perhaps just no shame. Others are just good samaritans, willing to risk a terrifying level of honesty in the interest of preventing further damage to the relationships that make Xistentia run.

In any case, the group finds themselves armed with gloves, rubber suits, and floating glass containment orbs, manipulable with gestures, that can absorb the black ichor off the trees, earth, and furniture. This will be stored at the temple. And what we'll do with it—

Who knows. Or perhaps you and your compatriots have an idea for the substance permanent disposal to share.

Comments

hanako 'rosalina' nurumi 🌹 original character (ota + closed)

[hasitsthorns]

I ( April 1st~4th | ota )

[ Rose looks happy. This is true more dates than it isn't but there's something else to her smiles and laughter. It's a genuine sort of glow to her these days. For the first time since her time home, she sincerely seems to be content with her life. What woman with two boyfriends and a new fiancé wouldn't be though?

She can be found just about anywhere though more notably the dance floor and trying to convince F.A.T.E.S. to let her DJ. This is the umpteenth time, of course, but she still hasn't given up. Someday the entity will let her take over the musical reins, she's sure of it.

Later in the evenings, she's likely lounging in one of the enclosures and looking skyward. In contrast to whatever pop song she was blaring out before, she hums a quiet, contemplative tune now as she winds down. She'll invite anyone to lay down with her that comes to investigate, friends, enemies, and even Vex. That's how good she's feeling these days! ]

II ( April 5th | closed to Vanyel )

[ He's one of the first she makes sure is alright after the initial attack. It doesn't take her long to find him and she admits, perhaps a little frantically, that she'd been worried. It was no secret that she couldn't imagine a life without him, not really, but it isn't anything she usually has to speak. So when she does, it

bothers her. She can tell almost right away that something is wrong. She's blurting out what feels like her every, panicked thought and it's- Well, it's not alright. But it's less awful because the only one hearing them is Vanyel for the time being. After making sure others are alright, they come home to a house full of frantic dogs that need to be soothed. ]

I'm gonna miss you guys, [ is what she starts with. Even for something more inconspicuous, it's still incriminating. She doesn't mean to say it (which has been true of so many things today alone) but it's something she does think often, something that's been on her mind since she returned from her time home. ]

I, uh. I mean just... y'know, when we have to figure out what we're gonna do when it's time to go back and all. Figure we'll probably be separated a while and everything.

[ For someone who spent nearly her entire human existence lying, she's just so bad at it. ]

III ( April 6th~12th | ota )

[ A stark contrast to just a couple days prior, Rose looks downright angry. For a woman who spent so long lying by omision and half-truths, suddenly feeling the compulsion to lay everything bare is maddening. She hates this. Everything about it is just the worst and while she'd rather hole up and hide away there's still errands to run and life to go on so she can't.

Besides, staying at home means she runs the risk of telling Vanyel even more that she's been keeping from him. More that she said she wasn't and, well- Rose just doesn't want to deal with that right now. She's already made things bad enough as it is.

She could be anywhere, doing anything when suddenly she's reminded of something she hasn't said and it's spoken aloud before she can stop herself. It ranges from things as innocent to 'I love being scratched behind my ears' to something darker such as 'I don't know what any of my partners see in me still some days.' ]

(( ooc; this is the more wildcard option just lmk how light or heavy you want the confession to be! you can hmu on plurk @ puddingandpie or Discord (Pudding#0541)! ))

stargazing or something idk

[shadowblends]

[when he finds rosie relaxing in one of the enclosures, kurt isn't sure if he should be surprised or not. he hesitates a moment, upturns his own gaze to admire the brilliant twinkles then returns his attention to her.

if anyone deserves time for relaxing, he imagines it would be rose; she's surely pulled thin between two lovers and wedding plans. oh, and fighting on top of that. which is exactly why he's here-- to help relieve any stress he can.]

Hello! [he greets cheerfully, wasting no time flopping down beside her.] I brought you something.

[fangs gleaming, nightcrawler sets a paper bag before her, arms looping around his knees once he draws his legs up.] We talked about doing this some time ago, but things happened and ... yeah. [he blows stray bangs from his face, watching with expectant golden eyes.]

stargazing!!

[hasitsthorns]

[ It's been A Time, that's for sure. She's had some recent difficult conversations with Vanyel but that's why she's more than grateful for the distraction.

Her eyes light up at the package he's brought her. Not that kind of package, of course. That one is reserved for Kavinsky at this point, she's pretty sure. She's also fairly sure she's not Kurt's type at this point but. Irrelevant details, really. ]

Aw, dude! You remembered. I didn't forget, I just- I get that. Things happening. This place can be kind of stressful sometimes in ways I don't think we expect.

[ That's an understatement. ]

twinkle twinkle ✨

[shadowblends]

[seeing the way she suddenly livens up makes his smile widen.] I know you didn't. [he straightens and reaches out, giving her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.] And yes, that's a perfect way of putting it.

[kurt shifts so he can nudge rosie's side with his elbow, mirth clear in the way his eyes shine. his fondness for her isn't romantic, which is not exactly because she's not his type, but more that she has become an older sister sort of figure during the budding stages of their relationship.]

If you're up for it, I figured we could get the dye going and talk about— [he hesitates, peers around then lowers his voice-- just in case!] The things we were discussing before while you had Vanyel's phone.

[hasitsthorns]

[ That just makes the woman's smile grow, honestly. It's been... a time, honestly. Just when she got engaged, there was a drama bomb waiting to happen. It was her own fault, of course, for not just being honest but- Details. Rose doesn't want to think about those. ]

Yeah, dude, totally! Now's as good a time as any, I ain't got anything pressing tonight- So hair dye and past revelations it is.

[ A beat. ]

I'm so hype to have rainbow hair. Like, I know it'll fade fast? But it'll be fun.

[shadowblends]

[he's fine letting the subject go for now, but rosie will have to accept the fact that one day, he'll be ready to ask. today is (thankfully) not that day, though.]

Sounds like a plan, then!

[and with the eagerness of an overzealous artist, he opens the bag then reaches in, removing boxes upon boxes of color. neons, pastels, bolds-- all in an array of colors that rosie could probably only imagine seeing at the same time.]

I wasn't exactly sure of the color scheme you wanted to go for, so I bought them all. [he beams.] Whatever is left, we can save for touch-ups or doing other things.

[hasitsthorns]

[ Thankfully. She's got enough to think over right now, really. ]

Oh, dude, woah- That's a lot of dye.

[ He must've bartered quite a bit to get it all. She appreciates the gesture, honestly, and her eyes are bright with the possibility. ]

For sure, man! I mean, I'm all about the neon myself... I'm pretty loud. Literally and metaphorically.

[shadowblends]

Yes, well, I might have ... gone a bit overboard? [neither of them can say there isn't enough color! perhaps, if he's feeling adventurous, he could put some wild shade in his hair. the blue has faded by now, meaning he's due for a new look, too.

taking the plethora of plants he has growing in his apartment into consideration, he can spare a few getting hair-dye to give her a fabulous shock of multicolored tresses.]

Neons for sure, then. What about if I dye them just right so that when the color fades, they take on a more pastel shade?

[hasitsthorns]

[ 'A bit' might just a bit of an understatement. Not that she seems to mind. A rainbow of colored hair is a very exciting prospect.
]

You can do that? You're a total hair wizard, dude.

[shadowblends]

[kurt blows a raspberry, head shaking then dipping in a sheepish sort of manner.]

'Wizard' seems like an exaggeration, but yes, I can.

[hasitsthorns]

[ It's cute, really, the way he's such a teen some days. Even for as ridiculous and immature as she can be, Rose has grown vastly in her short four years home. More than she ever did the centuries prior, she's sure. ]

Alright, well, let's get this magic started then. The dye doesn't smell too strong, right? My nose is sensitive. Y'know, canine.

[shadowblends]

[someone has to keep the childishness alive. if kurt has to take up the mantle in xistentia, too, he'll wholeheartedly accept that mission.]

You got it! And no, it doesn't. [he reaches into the bag again, removing stacks of plastic bowls and laying them out around their legs.] Everything I got is ammonia-free, [reassures the blue boy as he begins opening boxes and squeezing the dye from the tubes.] I made sure to keep your nose in mind.

[hasitsthorns]

[ At least someone would.

As if to test this truth, Rose gives a cautionary sniff. Hm. He's right, it hardly has a scent at all. One of the reasons she avoided hair salons, quite honestly, was because of strong scents the places contained. ]

That's sweet of you, dude. I'm excited to have my hair did, show off my new do. New me. [ A pause. ] Kind of feel like I need one, lately.

II, of course~

[drehnifusbahi]

[He is, more or less. The concussive blast knocked him flat and left him winded, but physically that's the extent of it. He's back on his feet in fairly short order, and looking for 'his' people first and foremost. Rose, Vex - and the most recent addition, Kurt.

Mentally, he's still rattled, more by the suddenness of the attack than anything else - whatever else can be said of F.A.T.E.S., it? they? have been very good about giving them advance warnings, up til now. How suddenly it seems to be over is also discomfiting, and leaves him deeply suspicious that there must have been more to the blast than there seemed.

He doesn't immediately connect the blast to Rose's nervous chatter, except inasmuch as he assumes she too was more affected by the attack mentally and emotionally than physically. Either way, once they've made sure their friends are alright, he's content to head home with her - the atmosphere of the party has been thoroughly ruined, and they do need to see to the dogs, after all.

The dogs press in on them immediately, and he automatically reaches down to start petting the two nearest to him. But before he can say anything, Rose says... that. And then... backpedals?]

If nothing else, I can take them back to Skyrim while you deal with... what you need to deal with, in your own world. There's plenty of room at Lakeview, and I'm sure Lucia and Alesan will be delighted to have them there.

LET US B E G I N

[hasitsthorns]

[ It worries her too. While she's aware that they're in a war, Xistentia has the awful of habit of making her feel safe just long enough between attacks that she lets her guard down. Back home, it was a constant battle in so many ways that she never felt like she had a moment's rest in the last few years. ]

Yeah, they will. It'll be good for them to have new owners who'll dote on them after me. [ 'New owners' and 'after me' aren't the way she means to phrase it but she does. ] I might not come back, [ she says before she can even think to stop herself. How she looks like a deer in headlights immediately after the fact, however, is telling enough. She tries to bite the words back but its almost like there's a burning in her throat demanding they be spoken. ]

It's just- The war. You know. I didn't tell you though that we- We found a way to win - faster than the way we originally planned - but it's going to come with sacrifices.

[ Namely: hers. It might start making more sense why she was insistent on getting married here, on why she didn't want to talk about her time home for so long knowing what going back would mean. ]

*cackles*

[drehnifusbahi]

[In all honesty, Xistentia wasn't so different from Tamriel in that way: the Dragon Crisis and Vampire Crisis had overlapped somewhat, true, but there'd been enough of a lull between those and the rise of Miraak's cultists that he'd just started to believe he could relax. Not to mention the Stormcloaks, causing trouble in waves. He's learned to take these things as they come, and enjoy the peaceful moments while they last.

His brows creep toward his hairline at 'new owners' and practically shoot upward at 'after me.' He knows there was a war going on, back in her world, but that sounds awfully... final.

Then she keeps talking, and the pieces start to click into place (he is, after all, an intelligent man, and has some experience of war himself) - her reluctance to talk about what happened on her trip home, her insistence that they get married here in Xistentia. It's going to come with sacrifices. He feels, abruptly, like he's been punched in the gut.]

You're talking about sacrificing yourself. [He says, voice small and blank and far away even to his own ears. But this isn't that terrible, quiet anger she saw from him at the fair. This is more like... numbness.]

all aboard the pain train

[hasitsthorns]

Yes, [ she answers, despite everything in her screaming no. He wasn't supposed to learn this. They were supposed to part ways and then that would be it. Not unlike that time in Eudio she ran away, deciding that not being in his life anymore was better for him. Wouldn't it be though? They would have gotten married, had their time, and when she didn't return to him- Well, he knows what war is like. She would've just been another casuality and he wouldn't live with the knowledge that she'd intentionally sacrificed herself for a greater good.

Would have. Would not. But now he knows and she has to scramble to find a way to justify it. Misto hadn't been happy but he had resigned himself to ending the war at the cost of love; it was something he could live with. Vanyel though? It doesn't seem like it'll be so easy. She didn't imagine it would be, which is part of why she was avoiding it.

He of all people knows how much Rose loathes these difficult topics, how she likes to decide for everyone else what's going to be "best." The dogs are still hovering close by but a couple start to pace nervously. Something is brewing here even if they aren't sure what. ]

It's the only way. Well, it's not- But it's the fastest. Ryuo was winning before I got back here, we had to do something- I had to do something. And I can!

We learned because of my heritage I can store both regular and tainted ki in my body. I was training before I left to house as much as possible to use like... Like a bomb, I guess. Only holding that much is fatal. It's kind of like putting too much air in a balloon. It can only stretch so far before-

[ '-it pops.' She bites her tongue to stop from spelling out the gruesome image of her decided fate. ]

i am assuming some vague mention of who/what ryuo is at some point, let me know if not ok!!!

[drehnifusbahi]

[No, it isn't going to be so easy. Dragons are, after all, extremely overprotective of their hoards - and, in the corner of his mind where he can't seem to stop thinking like a dov, accepting his ring made her his fair and square.]

I take your point. [He cuts in, shaking his head a little to try and dislodge the rather awful mental picture her words paint. There's a bit of an edge to his voice, because he is angry - he's made it pretty plain, hasn't he, that he wants a life with her? Did she really think a few months of marriage and then never seeing her again and never knowing what happened would hurt him less than simply being honest with him?

But he also recognizes that this isn't about him, not really - and there are bigger problems that need solved here than his own hurt feelings. So rather than shout (or Shout) or rail or rant, he starts pacing himself, mind already flipping through and discarding potential ideas.]

There have got to be other options, [he says, more to himself than her.] It's just a matter of finding them. [The gears turning in his head are practically visible as he keeps pacing - then jerks to a stop and looks at her again, a little wild-eyed but still almost too calm otherwise.] What is Ryuo again?

[If he remembers correctly... there's a little detail she seems to have overlooked here, that means she won't have to make some grand heroic sacrifice after all.]

totally cool by me yes

[hasitsthorns]

[ She is his. There is no doubt about that whatsoever. But she made a committment to her world first. Saving it is more important than anything, even love. Even her own life.

And so that's why what he's trying to imply upsets her more than anything. She was more than ready to lay down her own life for the cause, but Vanyel? Risking his? Absolutely not. ] He's a god. A dragon, which- I know. I considered that too but there's just. There's too many variables. What if's. We don't know if you can get to my world let alone if your powers will work there.

I won't put your life in danger like that. I can't.

[ What a hypocrite. Only she doesn't recognize it as such. She just refuses to let anyone else shoulder this. It was her decision, her responsibility. ]

I know this will work. It's the best way even if it's not... ideal.

awsome!!!

[drehnifusbahi]

[The hell of it is, he can understand that - he'd sworn off serious romantic entanglements when it became clear what an undertaking defeating Alduin would be, because that was his duty, and it had to come first. It wouldn't have been fair, to expect a partner to just stay put and be there for him to come home to. Even so, though--]

Oh, but I'm supposed to be perfectly alright with you sacrificing yours? That's a touch hypocritical, don't you think?

[Especially when her reasons for keeping him in the dark sound more like so many paper-thin excuses, to his ears.]

My powers worked in Eudio, and they work here, as well as they ever did back home. [He points out once he's regained a bit of composure.] And Alduin was a god too, or near enough as made no difference. Yet I defeated him, more or less unaided - twice. It wouldn't be entirely inaccurate to call slaying dragons my bread and butter. So maybe you ought to give me a shot at this one before you decide blowing yourself up is the only option!

[His voice rises toward the end there, still not quite yelling but certainly getting there. So he stops himself, takes a few deep breaths to try and regain some sliver of composure. Once he has, he offers:]

I'd be more surprised if the dragons of your world weren't utterly different from the ones I've fought. There's every chance you're right, that the tricks I know weren't work nearly so well on them - or at all. But gods above, at least give me a chance to try.

[He's not proud of the way his voice cracks on the last word, but he couldn't help it. He can't just let her march off to die, not if there's any other way.]

[hasitsthorns]

[ She had tried to do the same. Tried being the keyword there, really, because Misto was surprisingly persistent for someone so otherwise complacent and even-tempered. Vanyel of all people though knows how Rose find ways to unexpectedly burrow into one's heart; even when she doesn't mean to, which somehow makes it even more endearing (apparently).

To that, her lips only thin as she holds back words she knows will bite. A bad habit inherited from her father's side. He'd witnessed it at the fair and, unfortunately, it'd only gotten worse in her time back home. ] You're not invincible, [ she says. ] Just because you've done it twice or thrice or however many times doesn't mean you can do it against my type of dragons! This is my fight, not yours, and I'm not going to have anyone I love die trying when I know I have a solution that will work! It slowed him down before, it can stop him now- Why would I let you risk your life on a maybe when I have something certain?

[ Her own voice levels with his, heated with passion and hard-headedness. She's always been stubborn in so many ways but this is definitely something she's planted her feet in the ground about and isn't budging on so easily; she'd had this fight with all three of the Morgans in different ways and none of them had changed her mind yet, not even Misto. But because of the barbs in her throat, her hand is forced to be more truthful than she might otherwise be and continue softer now with, ]

Besides, you've got... You've got so much to live for, Vanyel. You've got children and people to return to back home and- I couldn't forgive myself if you died instead fighting in a war that wasn't yours that you only know about because of me in the first place. I just. I ruin everything. And this is my chance to do something good for once, so. I need. I need to do this.

[drehnifusbahi]

[He knows all too well how endearing she can be, even when she's not trying. He never expected to fall in love or want to build any kind of life with her - but he does, which is probably a big part of why this revelation has come as such a nasty shock. He'd thought when she accepted his proposal that she wanted the same; to find out instead that she's been planning to go back to her own world for a suicide mission, had been since before he ever proposed... well, it feels like a betrayal of sorts.]

I know! [Another breath, another desperate bid for some sort of composure.] I know I'm not invincible, believe me. And I know there's a risk my powers won't work against your kind of dragons - but at least in my case it's just that: a risk. We can't know whether they will or won't without trying, and frankly, I'd rather take the risk and get hurt myself than stand aside and let you pull something we know will kill you!

[It's not anger so much as despair creeping into his voice now, as well as his expression as she keeps talking - especially when she claims she 'ruins everything.' But her softening makes him soften in turn, stepping in close enough to tuck a few stray curls behind her ear as he answers]

I don't particularly want to die, at least not any sooner than I can help. But Rose... I couldn't live with myself if I just let you go without at least trying to find a solution that doesn't call for your death. Yes, I have loved ones back home waiting for me, but... you're every bit as precious to me as they are. So please, don't ask me not to fight just hard for you as I would any of them.

[hasitsthorns]

No, [ she says but it isn't quite clear what she's saying it to. She can hear the pleading in his voice and it. It hurts her, honestly, to know that her death might affect him so. She's thought it before but thinks it again: she was never supposed to be this important to anyone.

Misto had sounded the same when they'd first talked about this opportunity, about what it would mean. He sounded the same every time they talked about it after. He was almost desperate to have her see his reasoning but she couldn't then and still can't now. ]

My life isn't more important than- than everyone else's. I can save people. I can- I can make a difference! I can stop this war! Why wouldn't I? Why would I let you take a risk that could get you killed when this is surefire? If you don't stop him and die, how am I supposed to be alright with that?

[ She can't be. She won't be. ]

No, [ she says again, drawing away from him. ]

[drehnifusbahi]

It is to me. [The words slip out soft and unbidden - there's his deep dark secret, apparently.] It's more important to me than my own, even.

[When she tries to draw away, he follows, closing the distance between them every time she tries to create more. He's not about to let her run away again. He can't.]

If you do this, you will die, you said so yourself - and how am I supposed to be alright with that? How are any of us who love you supposed to be alright with it? [He catches the hand she wears her engagement ring on, thumb stroking over it as a nonverbal reminder - though he doesn't just mean her other boyfriends, or even Misto. He's thinking too of those she calls 'packmates'.]

I'm not asking you not to back and fight your war - how could I possibly? Just... before you do, let me try and find some other way. We have all this multiversal knowledge, all this technology and magic from all these different worlds, right here at our fingertips. What can it hurt, really, to at least look?

[There's an undeniably desperate edge to his tone now. He can't even pretend to be alright with the possibility of losing her, not now and likely not ever.]

[hasitsthorns]

[ She doesn't know what to say. Rose isn't able to articulate a proper response to that because the last time someone said they would die for her they did. And she, despite believing she never would be able to, loves Vanyel even more than him.

For all the pieces her heart had broken into when Ren was killed saving her, she was eventually able to pick them again. In part because of Vanyel and others that had shown her she was capable of loving and being loved along the way. If the same were to happen to Vanyel as Ren though? She's not sure she'd be able to find a will to keep on living after him as she did back then. She's not sure she'd want to. ]

Don't say that, [ she finally answers, voice catching as she starts to bite back tears forming on her waterline. ] I'm not supposed to be able to live without you, not- Not the other way around? I know how silly that sounds, but I just. I didn't think. I was always told I was never going to be able to mean anything to anyone so I-

[ I believed it. And while he had proposed, while he is still here practically begging to give him a chance she supposes there's still some part of her telling her that she isn't worth anything despite it all. ]

I'm not going to say I won't, [ she continues instead, reaching out to keep him close now instead of drawing away. ] But I'll. I'll give you the chance. If you can't find a way though, I'm still. I'm going to do what I have to.