the truth serum meme.

[batmotif]

The Truth Serum Meme
The cliche and tired trope used to create conflict or acts of realization.

And congrats, now your character is inflicted by such a trope! Be it magic, drugs, or other means. Regardless of how, your character has lost the ability to lie or be dishonest.

Are you going to tell your childhood crush how you really feel? Or maybe tell your best friend about the double life you live? Perhaps this is a good time to admit to murder... hm.

Leave your character's name in the comment section.

Characters ask you a question, you must reply truthfully.

Have fun, no lying.

Comments

[snaphiss]

And you always know who is innocent and who isn't? Criminals are more likely than not to prey on the naive and destitute to guard their facilities. But, of course, you're a professional. You know better than the people actually trained to do this.

That doesn't mean I wasn't good at it.

[batmotif]

I know the difference between a hardened thug and a desperate man squirming under the thumb of corruption, Mara. If you're going to patronize me, I'd suggest you take it elsewhere. You make broad assumptions without knowing what my city was like.

Hypothetically speaking, do you think you could have caught me? Since we're playing the truth game.

[snaphiss]

You don't want me to patronize you or make broad assumptions, but you ask me to 'hypothetically' guess whether or not I could have beaten you? You can't have both.

[Someone's enjoying themselves.]

[batmotif]

[Obviously. Bruce is used to it by now.]

You have a general idea of my fighting style. And you certainly are familiar with how I operate where stealth and subtlety are concerned. So yes, I think you have a reasonable amount of information to hypothesize.

[snaphiss]

It would depend on several factors. Could I defeat you here, or in your natural environment? Would it be when I was working as Hand, or as I was now? How would my resources be depleted away from the Empire? Would your resources be depleted under Imperial rule?

But, yes, I think I could defeat you. In some hypothetical scenarios, though, I think it would be very close.

[batmotif]

[This hypothetical scenario is both enlightening, and vaguely amusing. He doesn't show any signs of the latter, though, besides the smallest lift of a brow.]

I was thinking more in terms of here and now. The playing field is relatively level.

[snaphiss]

That is one of the scenarios where it would be very close.

But, of course, I'd need motivation. I have no intention of harming you, Bruce.

[batmotif]

I wasn't asking because I was worried, Mara. I just like to cover all my bases.

[snaphiss]

Hm. Do you think you could defeat me? Kill me? In your preferred scenario, of course.

Do you think you'd ever have a reason to?

[batmotif]

I don't think it would be easy, but I think I could defeat you if I needed to. But I wouldn't kill you. [Or... anyone.]

You haven't given me a reason to think that it'll come to that. However, none of us actually know what the next mission will bring. What the next day might lead to. I like to be prepared.

[snaphiss]

[Wait.]

Why wouldn't you kill me?

[batmotif]

Because I don't kill people.

[snaphiss]

[uuuUUUGH]

Why?

[batmotif]

[don't you UUUGGGH me]

Because there's a line I refuse to cross.

[snaphiss]

[UUUGHS LOUDER]

Why? Why this line, on this particular thing? I know it's an ugly business, but it solves problems. Definitively.

[batmotif]

Because it's a point of no return. I'm not going to become the thing I'm fighting. I won't perpetuate more killing when it's what- [he pauses. ugh.] When it's already too prevalent.

[snaphiss]

Are you trying to stop crime or killing? It seems like your net is rather wide.

[batmotif]

Then I guess I'll just have to continue being diligent.

How many people have you killed, Mara?

[snaphiss]

I don't count. It's a disgusting habit I won't take part in.

[batmotif]

Fair enough, but not that comforting to hear. Do you feel remorse for any of those deaths?

[snaphiss]

...Some of them, yes. But I do my utmost only to kill when absolutely necessary, when it's the only way to ensure madmen and criminals won't strike again.

[batmotif]

Then define "absolutely necessary" for me.

[snaphiss]

There was a man who'd been driven mad by a scientific experiment. He was very powerful, capable of turning men and women into puppets, controlling their minds to make a 'perfect world' where people lived harmoniously, but without any choice in their actions. He was attempting to make an 'apprentice' out of a friend of mine, to twist the man until their goals aligned. He was too far gone to feel remorse for his actions or change. I wanted to end it, but my friend stayed my hand.

[batmotif]

[He quirks a brow.] This friend of yours must have been very persuasive. How did they convince you?

[snaphiss]

I needed his help. And then, when the madman came back and nearly kidnapped him, his sister, his infant niece and nephew to bring them into a life of slavery, after I drove a saber into the madman's heart- I could say 'I told you so'.