Trash Squad Day 5 - TRUTH OR DARE

[chinhotta]

Mornin' sweethearts! Come on down to the cafeteria!

[ Today the cafeteria looks different again, most of the tables cleared out and the space full of pillows, blankets, and love sacs of various sizes. Around the time everyone gets there, Vanilla pops up in the front of the room.. ]

Do you know what one of the most important things in a relationship is? Honesty! Do you know what some others are? Trust! Self-confidence! Communication! A sense of adventure! Sexual compatibility!

...What was I talking about? Oh, right! Today's event is truth or dare! You know how it works! Find someone and ask them if they want a truth or a dare! If they pick truth, ask them any question and they have to tell the truth. If they pick dare, tell them do do anything and they have to do it. Then it's their turn. Try to ask around!

And... I've got something special for you!

[ Vanilla pulls a sheet off a table to reveal a bunch of tiny plastic bottles, each about the size to hold one sip of liquid. ]

The blue ones are Vanilla's Famous Vanilla-Flavored One-Shot Truth Serum! One truthful statement guaranteed! The red ones are Sarsaparilla's Tequillas! Pure liquid courage - give yourself the extra kick you need to get out of your comfort zone!

...You don't have to drink these if you trust each other and are confident in yourself, but in the spirit of honesty in our relationship, I'm willing to make a trade. If all these shots are drunk by nighttime, I'll give you proof the people eliminated and disqualified are safe!

[ The truth serum, as you would expect, makes you tell the truth. The "tequillas" aren't actually alcoholic, but they do make you feel much braver. Both generally only last the length of one answer/dare, but some of them might last a little longer... chinchillas don't practice good quality control. ]

—Oh, by the way! Your scores are displayed in your tablets now! They don't include your second dates yet, but we'll keep them updated!

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Comments

[motorcycle_noises]

If you could talk to anyone at any point in time over tea, who would it be and why?

[artisticliberty]

[he's quiet for a few moments before replying, in a voice barely above a whisper]

... my mother.

[motorcycle_noises]

[ Tatsuya's silent for a moment. The implications... Tatsuya squeezes Yusuke's hand. ]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up a painful memory.

[artisticliberty]

It's not that. There is pain associated with her memory, but it has long since faded to something mild. I know she must have been an incredible woman, and I just wish I had had the time to know her. She... passed away when I was still very young, so I barely remember her. But she left me a gift that has been my greatest source of inspiration for most of my life.

[motorcycle_noises]

What gift is that?

[artisticliberty]

A painting. She was an artist like myself, and ever since I was a child, I have been captivated by it. It's a portrait of a woman holding a baby. Only later did I realize that it's a self-portrait of her holding me. You see, the lower half of the image was cropped out and people puzzled for years over the so-called "mystery" of the woman's serene expression.

[motorcycle_noises]

Why was part of the picture cropped?

[artisticliberty]

[his expression darkens noticeably]

To generate interest of the public, by the man who stole the painting from her and presented it as his own.

[motorcycle_noises]

....That's disgusting. That man... I'm guessing you and your friends brought the truth to light?

[artisticliberty]

Yes. It was neither the first nor the last painting he plagiarized. Even my own... though I often justified it by telling myself that I gave them to him 'freely'.

But we stopped him. We stole his heart, and he revealed the truth of his legacy to the world.

[motorcycle_noises]

Good. I'm glad. Stealing other people's work is terrible. He deserves every bit of punishment he could get.

[artisticliberty]

Yes. He is serving time in prison now, and will be for a good many years. Perhaps he'll learn to value his own work in that time, instead of using others to fuel his own wealth.

... but, I've distracted us from the game. Let us speak of something else.

[motorcycle_noises]

....Sorry. I guess I got caught up in hearing about you. I'll take a "truth" this time.

[artisticliberty]

I would not mind telling you the full story, necessarily... but I fear I'll take up all your time today, if I do.

[... he hesitates a little, thinking about the question he really wants to ask]

[motorcycle_noises]

Maybe later, then.

[ Like the next time he crashes into Yusuke's place to listen to his Gas Chamber CD— ]

[artisticliberty]

[yeah like then. yusuke's still hesitating to ask]

[motorcycle_noises]

...You having a hard time coming up with something?

[artisticliberty]

No. I know what question I wish to ask, but I want you to answer it truthfully. And I have no interest in those vials.

[motorcycle_noises]

[ Tatsuya's quiet for a moment, flicking his zippo open and shut before saying anything. ]

....Whatever it is... I'll answer it honestly and without any help.

[artisticliberty]

What are your feelings towards me?

[motorcycle_noises]

[ He thought that's what it might be. ]

....Talking to you.... makes me happy. You're a kind person, a passionate person... and I admire that. You seem to have this inner strength that shines through you. And I can't help but think, "I like him."

[artisticliberty]

[yusuke doesn't look embarrassed very often... but he's definitely blushing now. he tucks some hair behind his ear, which just immediately falls loose again]

I... have similar feelings towards you.

[motorcycle_noises]

[ While the question had made him wonder from the moment he suspected that's what he'd wanted to ask, Tatsuya's cheeks still turn a distinct shade of pink. ]

...Yeah?

[artisticliberty]

[he squeezes tatsuya's hand]

I want to support you. I want to fight by your side, but more than that, I want to be at your side. I admire your strength, your compassion... I want to help you carry your pain, and I want to see you smile. I want to tell you everything about my life, my thoughts, my feelings... it's so strange to me, to have felt so strongly for someone after only knowing them for a few days--but I do not mind it at all.

[motorcycle_noises]

Kitagawa-san...

[ He's at a loss for words, but not unpleasantly so. Tatsuya squeezes Yusuke's hand back. ]