TRUTH BOOTH

[potatomance]

ᯓ⭐ TRUTH BOOTH

Welcome to the Truth Booth! Once a week, one lucky(?) couple is selected to climb a rope down into the depths of the well, where their budding love will be tested and determined to be either the truth or a sham.

Yes, you have to climb down the rope.

No, there are no stairs.

Hope you were good at Gym!

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WEEK ONE

[potatomance]

[ Today, it's Yukong and Aurelia Riri comes for, though the fairy is definitely keeping out of reach as it leads them out the back of the castle.

This is also all being transmitted on a big screen in the common area for the other lucky bastards to watch.

It's time for the two of them to climb down the rope into the depths of the well, though apparently it goes down so far you can't see what's actually at the bottom until you're way closer.

Off you go, ladies! ]

[helmswoman]

[ Well, it's come to this.

Despite Yukong not being eager to volunteer herself at first, now that the decision has been made and they're here, she doesn't seem nervous whatsoever. As they follow after Riri toward the well, those watching both in the castle and at home might be able to tell that in her mind, she's spearing the potato with a thousand arrows.

They reach the well and she takes a moment to peer inside, finding nothing but a dark abyss below. There is a rope provided, however, which means they won't be simply taking a leap of faith into the darkness. More like a slow decline.

Despite all of Yukong's claims that she mainly sticks to desk work these days, she isn't daunted by the task ahead. Instead, she turns to her partner in this bizarre ritual, one hand settling on her hip. ]

Would you like to go first or should I?

[aureated]

[Aurelia, too, doesn't seem terribly nervous. She's ignoring Riri, peering into the well alongside Yukong, and then mirrors Yukong's posture, propping a hand on her hip as well.]

Please, after you.

[She'd insist on going first for someone like Brenner, who she isn't sure would be able to stick the landing, but Yukong will be just fine.]

[helmswoman]

[ If Yukong was aware of that sentiment, she would be both flattered by the faith in her abilities and amused by the subtle dig against a certain research scientist.

As things stand, though, they have work to do, and so with that she moves forward to grab for the rope, giving it a few tugs to make sure that it's properly anchored to... whatever it's tied to up here.

Assuming that it's secure, she heads for the lip of the well and turns back to Aurelia for one last remark. ]

I'll call to you when I've reached the bottom.

[ And with that, she takes a strong hold of the rope with both hands and eases herself down the inside wall of the well. Despite any first impressions, she does have the upper body strength for this, as any archer would. Nor is there a hint of fear as she starts to slowly lower herself into the unknown. It may have been a long time since she piloted a starskiff through some impossibly narrow opening, but there was a time in her life when that was a daily occurrence for her. This isn't enough to unsettle her. ]

[aureated]

[Aurelia nods in confirmation, and then watched Yukong go. It's a lovely view, after all; Yukong's very strong, and her form is exquisite (of course Aurelia cares about this, it's fine, ignore her).

She'll wait for Yukong to make it to the bottom, and for her to call up, before she also swings down herself, confident and certain.

She'll jump down the remainder of the way once she hits about four to five feet above the ground, deep in the depths.]

There we are. It is for the better we were voted to go first, given all of this.

[At least everyone will be prepared now.]

[helmswoman]

[ Yukong makes sure to move to one side so that there are no unsightly collisions when Aurelia falls down those last few feet, nodding to her now that they're both safely on the bottom. ]

That's true. I'm not sure everyone here will have the strength to climb out, for instance...

[ At least they can warn them now, but she's having a hard time imagining Maruki or Phoenix or Brenner doing this. ]

I wonder if the potato would have assisted, in such a situation.

[ She wrinkles her nose.

Anyway! They're down here. ]

[potatomance]

Rude! Of course I would have, I need you all alive! This is romance, not necromance!!

[ This is shouted down from the top of the well.

But after a few seconds, the environment changes from dark and damp to. Well.

Shoujo bubbles. Shoujo bubbles everywhere. It now feels like they're standing on inaccurate-to-life clouds.

But also there's a feeling of expectation that nothing at all is going to happen until they kiss. They'll both get that understanding immediately. ]

WEEK TWO

[potatomance]

[ Surprising no one except maybe one avid Zhongli/Xianyun shipper who has been told by all their friends to "move on already", it's Xianyun and Martin Brenner being escorted to the well today!

They do still both need to climb down.

Good luck. ]

let's goooooo

[mechanideptus]

[ Based on how the conversation went yesterday, Xianyun is not at all surprised that the two of them were selected for the Well of Truth Truth Booth this week. It's just as well; this way, the group can either confirm or definitively eliminate the two of them as a match and move on from there. Ideally, they're a match; the confirmation will bring them one step closer to a group victory.

As far as her personal feelings about it? She's not really sure which result she wants. Better not to think too much about it.

She looks down the well, then back at Brenner. ]

One can get you down safely, if you're unsure about the rope. Just climb onto one's back.

YEEEE

[hnl]

[No, it’s not a surprise at all. Given a lack of any other names floated forth during their discussions yesterday, Brenner suspected they’d be chosen to go. So much for assuming there would always be a more viable choice, sparing him of this particular… well-oriented trial.

He’s peering down into the bleak darkness below, making a… little bit of a face despite his usual unaffected personality. He is unsure about the rope. He has his pride, but he also knows where his limits lie. Somewhere, his dad is laughing at him for skipping out on boot camp life from the great beyond…]

Climb… onto your back?

[That wrenches his gaze away, looking at Xianyun questioningly.]

I— [Girl help. What a sight that’d be.] You don’t think that’d be a little too unwieldy?

[mechanideptus]

[ She nods, confident as ever in the face of his clear uncertainty. ]

One has a plan. We'll be down the well in mere moments.

[hnl]

[Ah... The uncertainty doesn't exactly leave him, because who knew he'd have to take a piggyback ride down the well? The whole castle is going to see this...

But Brenner, as always, activates his "I don't give a fuck what other people think" superpower, and accedes in the face of logic. If it's quick and painless, then he might as well bite the figurative bullet.]

All right. Then let's get situated.

[Presumably with minimal fussing he's going to let her carry him. On her back. He's all heft and long limbs but she'll probably have no trouble managing this, let's be real.]

[mechanideptus]

[ With ease, even. Being an Adeptus has its benefits, strength among them. And luckily, Brenner is a sensible enough man to not let his pride stop him from taking her up on her offer. It would have been unfortunate (and a headache) to waste time arguing with him about it.

She helpfully crouches to help him climb onto her back, then takes a few moments to shift her weight and hold on him to ensure that she's got him secured. ]

Hold on tight.

[ And that's the only warning she gives him before she leaps into the air and jumps down the well. Did you know her elemental burst boosts plunging attacks? Now you do, because they're plunging! Whee!

She lands hard at the bottom of the well, but doesn't seem any worse for the wear. She lets Brenner off of her back and gives him a moment to collect himself. ]

There. Problem solved.

WEEK THREE

[potatomance]

[ Wow! First some lesbians, then some hets, then some gays! The diversity!!

And here they are, your heroes, Cactus Head and Tumbleweed--

I mean.

Phoenix Wright and Takuto Maruki!

Riri is ushering them out to the well and promptly ditching them. Good luck, my dudes. ]

[bewrightback]

[Phoenix dusts himself off while nervously approaching the well. He's dressed in casual clothes that he won't mind getting dirty. There's many reasons to feel nervous and jittery, from the number of people who could be watching this to the depths of the well. But he looks over towards Maruki with a smile.]

W-well, here we are! [(And not a stepladder in sight...)

Phoenix reaches and experimentally tugs at the rope.]

So how should we go about this? ...Wow, it looks even deeper than it did on the screen...

[psychs]

[ Phoenix isn't the only one feeling the jitters. Maruki may have overdone it a little bit this week, but as they're three weeks into the show, he thinks it was necessary. Not just to give everyone a better shot tomorrow, but for himself. There's still a lot he wants to learn about the man he's come here with, but...he can't deny that he'll be a little disappointed if they're not a match, and that's not just because it means he's still on the board.

With any luck, maybe they can both take it easy next week. But he's getting ahead of himself. Exchanging glances with Phoenix, he glances down into the depths of the well, and the dinky little rope that is their only means of getting down. ]

How's your arm strength? H-haha, mine could admittedly be a little better...

[ They're gonna fucken die before they even get down there. ]

Um, that said, I don't mind going down first, if you'd rather.

[bewrightback]

[Phoenix sweats bullets while nervously chuckling and glancing back towards Maruki.]

I think I could say the same, though all those desk-slams in the courtroom might have strengthened them a bit...

[He still has little to no confidence with the rope. But if Maruki's volunteering...]

Y-yeah! You know, if you feel like going ahead... by all means!

[(Maybe it'll be easier to follow him... that way when I look down, I can see something other than the bottom!)]

[psychs]

[ Do desk slams equate to arm strength? They're about to find out. Maruki lost a fistfight with a teenager, so he's definitely sunk, but he's already volunteered, so... ]

A-alright! Easy does it...

[ Taking the rope in hand, he gingerly lowers himself into the well, bracing his feet against the wall. At least it's not a functioning well, so it's not terribly slick. Very, very slowly, he starts to make his way down. ]

Haha, this isn't so bad! [ he says, already sweating.... ] I haven't done this since I was a kid at summer camp.

[bewrightback]

[He hopes they do. They feel like a good workout!

Phoenix watches with second-hand anxiety as Maruki grabs the rope and begins climbing down. No magic solution has provided itself, so he might have to join him soon. He just waits until Maruki's down a bit before grabbing onto the rope.]

It's never been my favorite part of PE class... but, uh, here I come?

[With that, Phoenix, one limb at at a time, grabs onto the rope and wraps his legs around it, ultimately clinging to it much like a koala. After a moment, he very slowly starts inching his way down.]

W-we got this.

WEEK FOUR

[potatomance]

[ This time? It's up to Zhongli and Lin to save y'all from yourselves.

Or maybe not. Who knows? Regardless, Riri is coming to get them to lead them to the well before it disappears to spectate from somewhere else. ]

[thefinalcontract]

[No one in this house listens. Maybe that's why they're losing? Neither 50/50 chance pair should be standing here. Alas...

He lets out a wistful sigh as he stands where he's been instructed, humming one of Lucifer's songs that he's heard over his time here. His hands are folded neatly behind his back with fingers toying at the vision that rests there.

That said this does offer a chance to do something else even if it is in full view of everyone and everything... There is little use for secrets now. What will be will be one way or another.]

Before our decent there are one or two things I'd like to say. [And just so she doesn't start climbing down or something which would be a fair response he'll add.] One is an apology but it requires some lead up.

[ziplash]

[ Her mindset going into this is to be as professional as possible — honestly, she's expecting a walk in silence. So, him piping up is a surprise.

She gives him a brief glance out of the corner of her eye, before returning her gaze forward. Stern and expectant, like she's receiving a report from a subordinate rather than anything emotional in any way: ]

Well? Out with it.

[thefinalcontract]

I'll be as straight as I can with all that I am about to say.

[Thank you truth week. :/

He places a hand to his chest and does a slight incline of a bow.]

I am the Geo Archon, God of Liyue and of Contracts. Rex Lapis to my people and Morax to the Heavenly Principles and many more before my claim to dominion over the land. But to the people of Liyue, Rex Lapis is dead. He fell from the sky one ceremonious day and never rose again. I performed the ancient rites myself and that was the end of his long legacy.

[He straightness and returns his hands behind his back.]

I never asked nor wanted dominion. One day the Heavenly Principles demanded much of the world of Gods and Monsters. And for those who wished to ascend to a throne of heaven must fight amongst themselves and climb to the highest of ranks. A plight my fellow Adeptus and I did much to ignore until one of us was slain right in our very home.

To protect the people and the rest of my family I ascended and became the Archon that was asked for. A throne of binding divinity where you are at the beck and call of the Heavenly Principles to do their biding... No matter their call. No matter the atrocity. It must be done.

I am bound by contract not to speak of some of the things asked of me. And so I cannot. But know that they will smite a nation off the map and have demanded it to be so.

Long winded though this may seem it does lead to me playing human now. A reprieve and rest after many millennia of work. To live among the people and pretend to be one of them. To think myself clever enough to slip free of the shackles of the Divine and escape their notice. So I came here with the intent to continue to play human. Especially if those in Liyue were to see. And that matches were of little consequence. But I suppose there is some small part that did hope for more. I think save perhaps one or two of us there is some spark of want for it all to mean something. It was never something to give voice to. My age should never have slipped past so freely. There were more compelling reasons I had why I thought this unlikely.

Such a secret to reveal to the people of Liyue... Should they have seen and heard it would mean no more playing human. A small thing, of course. One can return to their divine duties. And surely, over time, mend the gap between my people and myself for this deceit. What one cannot do is make amends with the Heavenly Principles over deception. What divine consequence will face Liyue should they learn of such actions?

Words spoken to you were done out of a spiraling concern as age became the focus revealing much and more to my people. But that does not make them the correct things to be spoken. And they were misplaced and wrong. After all... It was my actions that have put Liyue in this position to begin with. Cowardly and selfish as the long march of time wears heavy.

What you have said about me is true enough. But what I have said about you is deeply incorrect. And my apologies in regards to saying them could not be more sincere.

[ziplash]

[ It's certainly a lot to take in — and she can see now, a little bit more, why Lucifer and Zhongli might have been drawn together, tied to the divine as they are. Lin herself — well, she's firmly rooted in the earth, the material plane, often not thinking of larger spiritual matters of the sort he seems to speak of. She's got too many things on the ground to take care of.

Still, what he says does make sense. She just wishes it could have come out in a way that benefitted them all. She's sure there might have been a way to conceal what needed to be concealed for the sake of his people... and it does make her regret how things have ultimately turned out. But, as ever, there's no turning back. ]

...Believe me, I know a thing or two about duty.

[ It's surprisingly flippant all things considered, casual and down to earth, as she always is. Because — she gets it. As far as she can understand, the need to act this way is all born out of the same desire to protect his people. ]

Pretending to be human... allowed you to get away from it all, at least for a time, right?

[ She thinks about her daughter Korra, who has the weight of the world on her shoulders all the time, what it does to someone to have that much power over the world. Proud and stubborn as Lin can be she can be empathetic, too. ]

There were other ways to go about this. It's not like I expect you to just open up to any of us, or even trust us with the full truth of such things. I mean — hah, I'm no God. [ That, she'll be frank with, a blunt chuckle escaping her lips. It's not self-deprecating, but she still does firmly believe that he sees the two of them on separate levels, and her tone reflects that. ] But I am a woman who wanted the best for everyone here. That includes you. I have a duty and people who mean more than anything to me too, you know. Everything I've done and said has been for the sake of our victory.

[ That's her own way of saying that she didn't mean anything as a personal attack — just general frustration about how they might have played the game better in hindsight. She doesn't accept his apology outright just yet, folding her arms loosely over her chest. ]

I don't preside over a whole nation, but I'm responsible for the safety of every citizen in Republic City. If I had a secret like yours, if it was to protect those people, I can understand why you'd keep it. [ a beat. ] I only wish you might have considered that others might have understood that too, immortal or no. But we can't change the past.

[thefinalcontract]

[He hums, a soft quiet thing.]

Mountains do not bend to the call of the wind. The downpour of rain. Nor hail or sleet... All to say stubbornness is a poor trait. And I have found myself more firmly rooted in the ground as the years go on. I truly did not wish to speak of what I had to more than necessary.

[It's impossible to express what the Heavenly Principles can do to nations. To nations of their own Archons, as was recently experienced and was told to him by the Traveler.]

To cleanse the land and defend our safe harbor. That was the first contract of Liyue. Written by my own hands and followed by mortal and Adeptus alike. Thus the secrecy. But you are correct... We cannot change the past no matter how we might wish it so.

[He unclasps his vision from behind his back.]

If you'd allow me one more moment to make proper amends...

[He takes a few careful steps back, needing room as he's about to get very big. And in an instant a large dragon takes his place. He lowers his head, pressing his stomach to the ground in an attempt to bow in this unwieldy form but to also hand off the small vision clutched carefully in his maw.]

Archons do not grant visions... But were it in my power I would grant you a proper one. One who is most certainly worthy of it. Far worthier than I.