Time Of Truthiness!

[unbroken_chain]

Who: Everyone!
Where: All over the city!
Summary: The Time of Truthiness is upon Hinoto-Ri!
Warnings: Basically everything.

It begins. A strange aura spreads out over Hinoto-Ri, stealing into the hearts, minds, and mouths of every denizen of the city, changing them - embiggening their souls with the power of TRUTHINESS.

For one week, Hinoto-Ri becomes a city where no lies can exist. Who is responsible for this? Will their dedication to ABSOLUTE TRUTHINESS bring them victory...or defeat?

DUN DUN DUUUUUN

Tune in to the Destiny Strings Broadcast Special: Time of Truthiness to find out!


ooc: okay folks, go ahead and mingle!

Comments

[bondsofsuffering]

It's not like you can do anything to help me!

[The frustration and fear in his voice is genuine - probably more genuine than anything else he's said to Taro before.

Why does he keep talking about all of this...?!]

[hachitaro]

[Okay that's it - hug attempt is go. He tries to get an arm around the other's shoulders and the other around his back.]

Hey. Shh. Just... calm down. Try to explain to me.

[bondsofsuffering]

[He stiffens at the hug-- it's been years since he's been on the receiving end of one. And with the situation being what it is, he instinctively begins to pull back, his voice quiet and shaky.]

I-- ["can't"] shouldn't. Outsiders shouldn't be involved.

[hachitaro]

Oh hell. I know what that's like, trust me. It's been like what, eighty years since we started getting the Underground together?

But this place is full of weird stuff. So you can tell me. It's not like I can't keep secrets.

[bondsofsuffering]

[He shakes his head, looking down - and effectively leaning his head against Taro's shoulder in the process. It's not that he doesn't hear the things Taro speaks of, but frankly he's in a panic that he's just said as much as he did.]

--Can't go against his command. People shouldn't even know about me.

[hachitaro]

Whose? I'll fight them for you.

[Not that... he's much of a fighter. He chuckles, and gives him another squeeze.]

And I'm glad I know you. Know about you. Whatever. I can't claim to totally understand what's going on, but I'm here.

[bondsofsuffering]

Even if you try, there's no way you can beat him. Even if you try, you can't stop him. He'll just use you like he does with everyone else.

[He's tried. He tried so hard.

As for Taro's opinion on him... he just remains silent.]

[hachitaro]

I can try. I'm already dead at home. If it's for a good cause then I don't really care - and helping a friend is a good cause.

[He leans his head against Hizumi's a little.]

I don't really care what happens to me. I've done some terrible things. But if I can help at least one person be happy, it's worth it.

[bondsofsuffering]

[Dead...?

So he's another one...

His voice is still shaky, lowering to barely a whisper. There's sorrow in there, and anger, but more than anything else, there's fear.]

...You can't fight God. No matter what he does--

His path is the most "righteous". He can't be stopped.

[hachitaro]

[God. Not gods. ... Ah.]

I don't care. I don't care. If someone threatens my friends, I'll protect them.

And... I like it when you smile. Actually smile, not pretend to.

[- Dammit Hinoto-Ri.]

[bondsofsuffering]

[There's a small, short exhale there, almost like a laugh. So he'd been caught. Then again, it's not that hard to spot, if you know the signs (and who could know them better than someone else who pretends?).

But still...]

...It's not a threat. And I shouldn't be protected.

[hachitaro]

Tell me why not.

[He loosens his grip, but still keeps Hizumi in a bit of a hug. You will be cared about dammit. >| ]

[bondsofsuffering]

[This time, he doesn't try to pull away. He's too tired. Too beaten.]

...I'll try to kill them.

[hachitaro]

... Fine. Then kill me. But you're my friend and I'll still fight for you. Okay? You're not shaking me that easily. I've seen enough friends die - enough family die - to let go so fast. I shouldn't. I know I shouldn't keep clinging. But I can't help it. So you're stuck with me for now. Deal with it.

[bondsofsuffering]

It's not like I want to--!

[A pause, biting his lip.]

...It'll just... happen. Once I become an adult, I'll try to kill them-- humans.

I was supposed to die before that, but--

[His grip on the papers just tightens.]

It's not happening. My body is still perfectly healthy.

[hachitaro]

I won't let you kill anyone, okay? I promise.

[bondsofsuffering]

[...]

Just because you say that, how do you know you'll be able to? I won't care anymore. About you, or... anyone else.

[Which is in and of itself horrible to consider. He wasn't exactly close to the people here, but he'd grown fond of them. He never thought he would have to consider the threat he posed towards them.]

You could leave before it ever happens. Or even if you stayed, I'd just trick you, and pretend everything's still okay.

[Even if he suddenly hated humanity, he'd retain his intelligence, his charm. That's exactly why he had them to begin with.]

[hachitaro]

I don't care. You're my friend. You're stuck with me. And... I've killed people before. Heh... I'm not the best fighter, but I'm better than you might think. I'll... I don't know.

I'll rip your soul out and eat it if I have to. I won't let you hurt people.

[bondsofsuffering]

[...!]

You can do that?

[hachitaro]

I haven't tried it here. But yes, at home, it's possible. Storage for later consumption or sale is - tricky. But immediately after death it'll work.

[bondsofsuffering]

[...

That would require him to die first, which is... difficult. But this world alone has made it clear that there are many things possible that he would have never even imagined.

What's to say Taro wouldn't be able to manage it?]

If that's the case...

You should just do it now.

[hachitaro]

No. Because you still have time. Because you're still alive, and you're still capable of living until you don't have time anymore. Over the last decade or so I knew someone could come after me at any time. I decided to live every day like it was my last, so I wouldn't have any regrets.

And when I died, I only had a few - which I think is normal. So no. I won't kill you now. What I will do is take you to my place, because we're going to play video games.

[And with that, he releases Hizumi with one arm and adjusts his grip with his other hand to keep a firm but friendly hold on him.]

[bondsofsuffering]

[Although Taro seems to be done with that particular topic, Hizumi is not. His free hand goes to Taro's shirt, grasping at it tightly. He's desperate, and that much is evident just by looking at his face, much less the way his hand shakes slightly, his voice so barely cracks.]

Just because I have time doesn't mean I want it.

[And goodness how many times he's tried to get rid of it, once and for all.]

I don't want this. Not-- any of this.

Please.

[hachitaro]

[He reaches up and runs his fingers through Hizumi's hair.]

I'll help you when the time comes. But you have time now. Don't be afraid. I'm here with you.

[This is totally not gay okay.]

[bondsofsuffering]

[Totes not. Especially since Hizumi's long since hit the breaking point and is now just kind of quietly crying.]

I don't want to wait until I lose myself...!