crypt | meme | #001 -- hardest words to say ( and i'd do anything to make you stay )

meme | #001 -- hardest words to say ( and i'd do anything to make you stay )

HARDEST THING TO SAY MEME

Sometimes the hardest things to say are also the most important. It doesn't matter how much it scares you to do so, it's finally time to be honest.

- post as your character.
- others go to RNG and roll numbers 1-22 then respond setting up a scenario.
- respond and have fun!

01. I DON'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE Unfortunately, you can't keep lying to your partner/friend/family anymore. You just don't feel the same for them anymore.
02. I WOULD KILL YOU The person who means so much to you has done something completely unforgivable and now it's time to make sure they know where they stand. You would kill them if you ever got the chance.
03. I LOVE YOU, BUT... A bittersweet love confession. You know you love this person more than anything, but you're not sure you can give them what they need.
04. I DON'T TRUST YOU No matter how you feel about this person, you really can't trust them anymore.
05. SACRIFICE You're going to sacrifice yourself, for the person you're talking with or for the good of all humanity. You want them to know the reasons and that there's no stopping you.
06. TROUBLE You're in trouble and you might not make it through. You need to let at least one person know how you feel before it's too late though.
07. CRIME CONFESSION You did something you weren't proud of and now it's time to admit it.
08. DEMONS We've all got our demons and we've all got our own personal nightmares we have to face, but this time? You can't hold it all back.
09. I'M PREGNANT... Now's not the best time for it maybe or maybe you're just nervous how your partner will react, but they need to hear it.
10. BETRAYAL You've betrayed this person and you have to tell them the truth, no more running from it
11. CHEATED You've been unfaithful and it's time to tell your lover.
12. BROKEN That's it. You've had it. You are entirely broken and tired of everything.
13. AFRAID Something has you deathly afraid and you need to talk about it.
14. HELP ME You need someone to help you, bad. You can't do it alone anymore, you've tried.
15. I'M SORRY You said something or did something horrible and now it's time to ask for forgiveness.
16. YOU WERE A MISTAKE Sorry, but whoever you're talking to was the biggest mistake of your life or maybe it was just something you did together.
17. NOT WHO I SAY I AM You're so far from who they think you are, you need to finally tell the truth.
18. LET'S RUN AWAY You want to just get out, leave everything behind and be with this one person for the rest of your life.
19. ASHAMED Either you're ashamed of something they have done or something you did, either way you need to bring it up.
20. CAN'T REMEMBER The person standing in front of you looks so happy to see you, so relieved, but how do you tell them you can't remember a thing about them?
21. HOW COULD YOU You don't understand how they could treat you like they have, do what they have done when you've done nothing but be good to them.
22. YOUR CHOICE Either choose an option from above, mix and match, or make up your own idea.

yep. totally stolen from memebells.
frolic with your subject lines and be free!

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[It isn't difficult, tracking down Asato. Not for the former Cheshire Cat, at least. His Name-given abilities are gone in all but appearance, and he'd attribute that to his place of landing were it not for his stubborn lack of a tail. But no, his ears are still his, black as they are (which lost him what little hospitality he would have even possibly gained as a stranger in a place such as this), but also gained him an... interesting acquaintance in the form of Asato.

And so, powers or not, that relationship affords him a certain knowledge of the other cat's tendencies, making him simple enough to find if the former Cheshire Cat puts his mind to it, as he has just done. He allows his feet to come to a halt a short way away, and links his hands behind his back with a sly smile.]

Asato. Would you mind if I asked you a question?

[Ever since Konoe, Asato has found his life a bit empty. After their adventure it had been hard to bear and grin the outcome—to say goodbye to Konoe as he left with Rai. It was a battle ultimately lost that Asato should have known would never have turned in his favor since the beginning.

(because he had adored konoe but konoe was in truth not like him at all and without that connection how could he have ever hoped for konoe to want anything but to go with someone like rai?)

Pain settles, however, dissolves over time especially with new distractions to help kick the dirt up to cover and pad it as if it had never been there to begin with. That's how he feels, at least, within the company of the other black-eared cat present now. He'd been unsure at first, doubts certainly still fresh from his prior experiences (and warnings), but this all seemed genuine enough in the end.

—At least, he thinks so, and that means he has never let his mind dwell on the possibilities otherwise much at all. An acquaintance is as good as a friend and while not as good as having Konoe, he certainly can't complain.

Asato's ears twitch when he hears the other approach, particularly his name being called out. Glancing over his shoulder, his tattered scarf obstructing his vision for a brief moment as a small gust of wind picks up in between them, he offers a small smile (a sincere one, at that) at the request, completely oblivious to everything else that smile being given towards him might hold.]

Ah, of course not. What is it?

[They could be friends, were it not for the redhead's habit of disappearing for days, sometimes weeks at a time, only to come crawling back hungry and tired, even wounded. But he seems to shy from anything resembling meaningful interaction with Asato, heading off more serious turns of conversation with a laugh and a change of subject, or simply a silent smile and a presented back as he walks away.

(another thing barring the way to a potential friendship is the way he refuses to give Asato a name by which to call him, refuses to answer to any Asato might try and pin onto him)

Honesty doesn't come easily for the former Cheshire Cat. After all, he originated from an idea of a smile and a riddle: a proper cat, aloof and his own. His roots as a grin in the darkness are not so easily shaken off, as much as he may wish otherwise. Flightiness is, similarly, in his nature; and though his attempts to make himself stick around without the demand of Obligation are laughable by comparison to what someone else could manage, they're rather impressive given his background.

So it's with another two steps closer that he halts again, watching Asato with a care that's masked by his eternal ease of manner, returning the other cat's smile.]

Are you sure you want to know about my tail?

[Asato doesn't mind. As much as meaningful conversations and the feeling of a real friend once again would have been welcome, things the way they are are fine, too. He worries, of course, worries when the other disappears (although, honestly, it's a mixture of fear that the other will come back hurt and fear that the other won't come back at all), but is always quick to accept the other back no matter the circumstances.

He doesn't know much about the cat, though. Even after time and time again, it can almost be as if they've still just first met. No name to know him by, only the most casual of conversations (but in a way, it's nice, too) to engage in.

That's perhaps why Asato looks a bit surprised at the subject of the other's tail being brought up. It's been asked before and various answers and lighthearted remarks and actions have been made, ultimately getting the conversation nowhere. He remembers Konoe's tail quite well, how the other didn't like it very much, and of course he's been curious about this one's tail, as well. He's often wondered if the other hides it out of dislike, too, but it's never been confirmed.]

Your tail...? I—I mean, of course I do! [he sounds utterly sincere in his words and of his interest, despite the surprise stuttering through his voice.]

[Asato is sweet, really. The former Cheshire Cat can never quite figure out how to handle that honest goodness the other cat manages to carry himself with. He tries to stay, sometimes. Tries to stay away, others. But eventually he always leaves, and always returns to this cat with the genuine smile, something he thinks he'll never grow accustomed to. An acquired taste, maybe.

It's a stretch for him, talking about himself. He's brushed off this sort of conversation since the time of his creation. But if anyone deserves the former Cheshire Cat's honesty, it's Asato. And maybe he'll finally be able to leave once this is through.]

Alright then. It will be simpler if I show you.

[He makes a show of untucking his shirt, rolling up the back until there's a thin line of skin exposed between the top of his pants and the hem of the shirt.

Then, like lightning, he steps closer. He makes a grab for one of Asato's hands, intending to settle it on his lower back, where the base of his tail should be.

Should be, but isn't. Where a tail would sprout from any other cat is only smooth skin, scarless and unmarred. There's no sign of a tail having been there at all, let alone a stump where it may have been hacked off, like some of his more macabre dodges to the question.

And still, he smiles, utterly unflappable as far as his expression goes.]

[He goes to say something, startled at the other's sudden actions, but never gets the words out of his mouth before his own hand is taken and placed against the other.

Whatever his normal reaction would have been to such actions once his hand was placed against the bare skin, however, is replaced by his shock at not feeling anything but smoothness where bone and fur should have been. Asato freezes a moment before he can't help himsel, shifting his fingers to feel about the area as well as if maybe he's simply off a few centimeters and missing the tail altogether.

He's not missing the tail, though. No, there's no tail to be missed. ]

How...?

[He's caught between awe and concern. That isn't how it's supposed to be. Every cat has a tail. So why did this one not? His own tail twitches slightly, curling itself subconsciously at the thought of another cat missing one.

Unlike Asato, however, the other cat doesn't seemed concerned by the lack of something so very important. He swallows, before stating the very obvious.]

...You really have no tail.

[The words sound so foreign to him even as he says them. No tail just like the two-canes.

Ears. No tail.

The only others to not have tails are devils. (But he's lacking the horns—much to Asato's relief.)

...So how does he have no tail...?!] That's impossible.

I wonder.

[But no. That's the sort of response he usually has, is trying to avoid for once. His typical evasion has no place when he started this, brought it on himself.

So he reaches forward, absent-mindedly tries to catch Asato's tail with his hand as he collects his thoughts, almost in comparison. If Asato can feel what it's like for a cat with no tail, then it's only fair for the former Cheshire Cat to feel the difference as well.]

Impossible things aren't quite what they seem these days, I suppose. It's very possible. Aren't I proof of that? Of course, I'm not from around here. But you already knew that.

[He hesitates for a mere split second before forging on; afraid to stop talking lest he lose his nerve.]

Ears aren't rare where I'm from by any means, and neither are tails. But I'm the only one with these ears, and those with ears normally don't have tails to go with them. It's all a matter of role. I am the Cat, and therefore I look the way I do. I once had a tail, but I lost that with the rest of my fur when-

Things got complicated. Following so far, Asato?

[Asato's tail is easy enough to catch and the cat doesn't mind the fair exchange.

Or, to be fair, Asato is too distracted to consider whether he minds or not.

Because, right now, he is listening quite intently to what the other is saying, absorbing the words into his mind like a sponge absorbs water. When the other pauses in his explanation, the black haired cat is silent.

There is a hesitance in that stretch of silence, then, Asato clearly unsure for the moment if he does follow or not. Finally, he nods in acceptance that, yes, yes he is following.

As strange as everything is starting to sound, Asato can't help but continue to listen, to wait and hang on the other's words as he seeks the answers that come along with this explanation being given to him.]

[The former Cheshire Cat's smile is cracking a little, and he glances away from the other cat's eyes, casts his gaze towards the ground and can't quite manage to convince himself to look back up. He runs his fingers gently along Asato's tail, careful not to disturb the fur or hang on too tightly.]

Ahaha, I guess this is all pretty confusing, so I'll start from the beginning. A man wrote a story once, about a place called Wonderland. There was a cat in that story, and he was me. Things happened and the story was twisted, and everyone became more human. So I lost my tail.

I got out of Wonderland a while ago, and ended up here. And my tail is still gone, so I know my ears are the same as they were at home, where they didn't mean nearly the same thing. But...

[He's letting go of Asato's tail, moving to step back. Knowing Asato he's predicting the reaction might be bad, and he really isn't sure he wants to see it.]

[. . .

...Oh. Oh. Again, is it? Something that isn't as it seems, someone who isn't so much like him, afterall. Just like Konoe.

No, this is different than Konoe. Konoe was still from this world, still had a tail and while wasn't born with the curse of black ears, had had them and experienced the stigma that went along with them.

This cat has, too, however, through no fault of his own. Asato doubts, finds the story hard to believe, but he has no reason to believe the other is lying about such a thing. He's unaware of it, but there's a small frown on his lips as he just watches the other, unsure of what to say or how to react.

Too many choices and that causes Asato to ultimately do very little of anything. A shift of his head and he's looking away now, down at the ground himself, letting feelings sink in and start to bleed inside.]

A man wrote a story...

[A human. That was so long ago, though, surely there's a mistake? Maybe the other is joking, taking the fact that Asato knows practically nothing about him just a little too far? (but doesn't that make it all the more reason to believe him? asato knows he isn't from around here, knows that he's different from other—well, not other, but—ribika in general in a very special way.)

His final reaction is merely a defeated sigh, something hurt and lonely but attempting to understand (and failing) all the same. There is one thing he does understand, however. Of course all things are too good to be true. To meet someone like himself, to be able to protect someone like Kagari protected him (and beyond), it just isn't something that's meant to be. And it's selfish, but all he can think about for a brief moment is his own hurt, his own feelings of betrayal (and why does it even matter, he doesn't even know this cat's name) before he lets that all go with that sigh.

There's no other way to react that's fair. Even this isn't fair. He glances up at the other from the corner of his eyes, not yet raising his head. Quietly, his next question is asked.]

...How did you get here?

[Nothing makes any sense to him anymore. Not about this cat. Not about anything.]

[It's that defeated sigh that tips him off. This was exactly the reaction he didn't want to see, and looking away only to hear it isn't really any better.

Another step back and he crosses his arms almost defensively, eyes flickering up to take in Asato before he turns his gaze away again.]

I ran. I betrayed Alice and betrayed the White Rabbit and found my way out of the story. I hurt and killed and used Alice, more than one, as my weapon, and I got out. I hurt the one who wanted to live and sent him off to the one who wanted to die, just so I could follow them to the exit. I was the Cheshire Cat, and I was supposed to be Alice's guide, Usa-chan's friend, but...

What's done is done. There's no changing it now.

[Then he's stepping closer, willfully, bending at the waist and looking up at Asato and trying to catch his eye. And he's smiling, though it's brittle and false, even more so than his habitual grins.]

Don't be sad, Asato. I'm not worth being sad over.

What? No!

[He looks to the other, brow furrowed in concern at such a thing coming from the other cat's mouth.]

Don't say something like that. You're worth it. You're more than worth it.

[Asato's expression softens slightly, then, tilting his head just a bit.]

Do you want to go back...?

[Part of Asato hopes that no, no he doesn't and that he can keep his "friend" for a longer time to come. The other side of him, however, hopes that Chesire will be honest with him because of course he doesn't want to stay here. Why would anyone want to stay here? If Asato could leave, he would—

—but he can't and this isn't about him. He bites his lip before blurting out:]

I'll help you, if you do. If that's what you want, I'll help you in any way I can.

[And that's just how he is.]

Of course I don't want to go back. Do you think I would have fled for no reason?

[He seems honestly surprised by the question, and almost hurt, past the smile.]

I couldn't live there, anymore. And I definitely can't now, not when I've betrayed everyone who was ever on my side.

[But it doesn't make sense, Asato's willingness to help. Nobody could be that good at heart, not enough to assist someone they don't even really know, when that cat had just freely admitted to serious betrayal.]

...Why would you even offer, Asato? It doesn't make sense. No matter what you say, I'm not worth that.

[Then something occurs to Cheshire, and he tilts his head to mirror the angle of Asato's.]

If you want me to take you there, I can do it. They would probably make you the new Cheshire Cat, but you wouldn't be blamed for what I'd done. Nobody would care about your ears and tail; the color doesn't matter to them.

I don't want to go back, but I could send you there. It wouldn't be too hard. Wonderland is designed to keep people in, but there's nothing to keep people out. Simple and easy as a few words, really. I can definitely do it, if that's what you want.

[That response startles him. Ears twitch as if understanding something has been said but not what about.

Asato shakes his head, nevertheless.

It's true he doesn't like it here and if he could leave, he would. But not to some place like that, some place where he'd be even more alone than he is here. At least here, he has Kagari... and he sort of has the other, too... doesn't he?] That's not it at all.

[He takes a step forward before thinking better of it and backs up to the exact same place he had been to begin with. His expression turns to concern now, not liking that this cat has come to such a conclusion.]

I want to stay with you.

[Coming from any other cat, it might have sounded as if there was more behind the words spoken. But, from Asato, they are pure and innocent, only intending what they reveal.] I won't leave you alone. We're...

[he hesitates, biting his lip a moment.]

...friends.

[Cheshire stops dead for a heartwrenching moment, face blanking entirely. No smile, no frown, not even shock, just -- nothing.

Then he's smiling again, but sadly this time, stepping forward himself and reaching up a hand to ruffle Asato's hair.]

...Are you sure? That you want that, I mean. I'm a bad friend.

[He's just admitted to betraying everyone who ever cared about him and still Asato is being sweet, using a word like that in conjunction with him. It's heartbreaking, and he hates it, but he won't let that show.]

If you're sure, I'll let you name me.

[When Cheshire gets close enough to ruffle his hair, Asato merely responds by smiling and gently pulling the other into a hug.]

I'm sure.

[He doesn't care what Cheshire's past is. It would be wrong of him to judge, wrong of him immediately decide one way or another how this cat should be treated other than with the utmost respect. It's not just something he's been taught despite the way he's been treated all his life (which, still, he is grateful for being allowed to live at all), but something he's learned and wanted to give towards others, especially those who have had less than easy lives, themselves. Konoe made him want to reach out to others. Cheshire makes him want to reach out even more and protect them all he can.

He pulls back, suddenly, however, as if realizing he may be being overly affection. Tail stiff and ears alert, Asato blinks before shaking his head quickly.]

N-name you? Ahhh, I'm not very good with names, what if I pick something stupid?

[It's a serious concern of his.]

[The hug surprises him, but he has no issue with touch and thus doesn't tense, simply relaxes into it with eyes wide. He doesn't return the embrace, though, because it honestly doesn't occur to him to do so.

He's just a little broken, really.

But when Asato draws away, Cheshire's ears perk up and he's smiling a smile that carries an actual genuine note to it. If he had a tail, it would likely be swishing playfully at this point, but instead he steps in close and catches Asato's, smoothing the fur with gentle strokes.

Physical intimacy is something he's more than accustomed to. It's just the feeling behind it that unnerves him in Asato's case.]

I doubt you could do any worse than the names I've had, believe me. And I'll tell you if I don't like it, alright?

[ He recognizes those odd black ears. (Different from everyone else he's met, save Konoe. All the other cats, and only two with black ears...) The sway of that tail, the posture. It takes Tokino a moment to place where he'd seen them, but he recognizes them. Konoe's friend. They'd stopped with him in Ransen for a while, hadn't they? Not for very long, but long enough.

It's almost odd to see him by himself, though. Not that he had to be with Konoe, but he'd only ever seen the two together...

And it makes him curious. So he shifts his bag on his shoulders before walking up to him. ]

You're...Asato, right? Konoe's friend!

[It's surprising for someone to approach him, so much that he doesn't even notice until the other addresses him. No, not even addresses him but mentions that name.

Konoe.

His attention perks, ears twitching forward as he comes to focus on the other cat. Ah, he does remember him! He remembers the gentleness and friendliness and hospitality this one gave to Konoe even when he was cursed with black ears, something Asato had been so foreign to. Still, he's surprised to see the other as if meeting someone connected to Konoe out in the world was impossible without Konoe present.]

Yeah. It's you... [it takes him a second, he can't say he was paying all that much attention when they were introduced by name, too self conscious and overly interested more in the connection they had to Konoe more than their name.]

...To..kino...? [He hopes.]

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meme | #001 -- hardest words to say ( and i'd do anything to make you stay )

asato :: lamento :: ota

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/slides on in

/tackles