un: kantera, text

[happydreamed]

If this adventure with chain mail has taught me anything, 'tis that many of us here are having our first exposure to the internet, with all its amusements and pitfalls included. Thus, I thought it might be nice to introduce another 'getting to know each other' game that some of us might not know yet. This one won't involve pictures or ratings of attractiveness, not to worry.

This game is called 'two truths and a lie'. The premise is simple. You list three statements about yourself, two true and one false. Ideally they should all be similar levels of unbelievable. Then, other people respond to you to guess which one is the lie. We all learn a little about each other and have a bit of fun.

Comments

[fishfearme]

I have never paid my tavern tabs, but you are correct. I can hold my breath for more than 15 minutes, and that was the lie. My wording was disingenuous.

[kingside]

[Well, that's a little frustrating.]

A lie by omission, technically.

[Which, apparently, Lelouch doesn't consider a lie, hence why he didn't make it his actual guess. Uh, this definitely doesn't hint to anything concerning about his character, haha.]

[fishfearme]

Yes. The best kind of lies.

[Or so Jeralt said, mostly because it was the lie Byleth was best at, whereas direct ones...? Not so good. He struggled to think of lies on the spot and could never do it convincingly. Just saying jackshit or wording things slightly? Easy.]

[kingside]

[The fact that he agrees with you about this means that he now has reason to be Worried by interactions with you, but. Anyway.]

May I ask why you have no heartbeat?

[fishfearme]

I have no heartbeat because my blood travels around my body via a different method than the far more common heart compressions method.

[An explanation that explains nothing.]

[kingside]

[Honestly okay with that because it's unrealistic to expect anyone to confess to having been, what, experimented on or murdered or whatever else on first meeting. It does at least rule out alien, though, at least in the traditional sense. Probably.]

Still through your veins, I assume?

[fishfearme]

I would assume, as my pulse can be felt where you'd expect it to be.

[kingside]

[Huh.]

This has long since veered into being too personal, so feel free to tell me to stop, but if you're all right with telling me more, I'm definitely intrigued.

[fishfearme]

[There was a notably long pause before Byleth's reply came.]

It depends on what you wish to know exactly. But first, why are you intrigued? Scientific curiosity?

used the same icon twice noooooooooooooooooooo

[kingside]

Specifically by what means your blood is circulating your body as well as how this technology came into being, assuming that doesn't cross any boundaries, and yes. Nothing like that exists on my world that I'm aware of, so I'm curious.

its ok byleth only has 1 expression, maybe 2, so same icons dont faze me LMAO

[fishfearme]

I see.

[That was all he sent, initially, followed by another long pause before:]

It is not technology, exactly. It is purely biological, yet not. To explain requires considerable context unique to my world: far too long to type on this contraption's small 'keyboard'. Therefore, I will explain what I am comfortable with in person, if you are amenable to that.

it just hurts my soul it's okay

[kingside]

[... This is probably a terrible idea. Then again, he does have a gun, so.]

Where and when?

[fishfearme]

You may pick. I am not overly familiar with the locales within the city, as I prefer to spend my time in the wilderness.

[kingside]

[... He can't decide if that's reassuring or not. Well.]

Gacha Restaurant in the city center.

[And. He supposes he probably should—]

A friend will be accompanying me. I'm sure you understand.

[fishfearme]

Understandable. We're strangers, after all.

ETA twenty minutes.

[That's his version of a goodbye...]

text -> action, plus a suzaku for reasons (lelouch -> suzaku -> byleth???)

[kingside]

[At least he's direct?]

Very well. I'll see you in twenty minutes.

[Or, actually, he may just be heading to the restaurant early and with a (former) knight in tow. If they could have been assured that everyone in this world were an ordinary human, he might have directed Suzaku to take a seat at a different booth, even, but since they can't...]

You can relax, you know. It's just a conversation.

it's dangerous to go alone, take this [suzaku]

[kishin]

[ That earns a fleeting smile and brief eye contact, but Suzaku is very much in Business Mode here. ]

A conversation with someone you wanted protection for.

okay uh jumping in again because look shh

[kingside]

[Well, okay, but.]

It's a basic precaution. I don't actually think he's going to try anything.

[Probably. But, well, you never know.]

[fishfearme]

[Speak of the Devil and he shall appear...

Byleth chose that moment to enter the restaurant, somehow looking both like he intended to be there and hopelessly lost. It was probably the dead-eyed stare and blank expression, the way his gaze skipped over the other occupants of the restaurant until they landed squarely on Lelouch and Suzaku.

Orientating towards them with the same intensity as an artillery gun aiming for its target, Byleth ambled towards them without a hint of urgency in his gait.]

Hello. I'm Byleth. Are you the one with the username "shin-key-row"?

[kishin]

[ That's... far from the worst pronunciation Suzaku's ever heard, though not usually so well-meaning. ]

He is, yes.

[ Did you want to answer for yourself, Lelouch, ]

[kingside]

[Really, Suzaku.]

"Shinkirou."

[Enunciated carefully, but anyway.]

I'm Lelouch, and this is Suzaku. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Byleth.

[fishfearme]

[Byleth nodded and pulled out the chair opposite them. He sat down carefully, ensuring his blade hung past the edge of the chair comfortably and in a way that wouldn't hinder a rapid unsheathing if necessary. Once he was settled, he didn't bother with further pleasantries of small talk - he cut right to the chase.]

Continuing from our prior conversation: what is it you wish to know exactly about my body?

[Wording, Byleth.]

[kishin]

[ ... ] [ Well, Lelouch, you're. Getting a bit of an uncertain glance? ]

[kingside]

[Spotting the sword, yes, and again grateful that he brought Suzaku along even if there's likely no reason to worry, but anyway, that. Again, Byleth is being very direct. He has to wonder what cultivated that trait in him as well, but more importantly...]

How specifically blood circulates through it. Again, you're at liberty to refuse to answer anything you deem too invasive, but you have me intrigued. I believe you said the context was too much to type?

[fishfearme]

Yes.

[There's a pause just long enough that it seemed like that was all Byleth was going to say, but he was just trying to figure out how to condense the explanation and without it sounding either batshit insane or bad.]

As I said before, my body uses a different method to heart compressions, as I don't have a heart. Or rather, I don't have one that humans are born with. Mine was dysfunctional upon birth, therefore it was replaced with something called a 'Crest Stone'. These are organic cores that can function as hearts provided the host is compatible.