History Main / CrypticConversation

** Played straight when you confront [[spoiler: Flemeth]]. It sounds like she's finally lost her marbles, due to how bizarrely she speaks(sounds even older than the archaic speech Morrigan uses) but really the entire conversation is just "I know something you don't, neener, neener, neener.".

Just like a villain can't resist EvilGloating, these characters will often hold entire conversations (one sided or not) using only [[VaguenessIsComing vague]], [[RiddleMeThis cryptic]], [[DoomyDoomsOfDoom ominous]], and frequently DoubleEntendre laden terms and phrases to confuse the player and character. Why [[CanNotSpitItOut don't they spill the beans quickly]] to help bring down the EvilOverlord? Well, usually the character in question either wants to [[YouAreNotReady protect]] or [[XanatosGambit manipulate]] the hero, other times they want to hide the truth. Of course, sometimes they ''do'' want to spill their guts but can't, due to a {{geas}} or [[TheFettered binding oath]], and even the little they do dish out can get them in trouble. The Author of the character in question might not have mapped out that far ahead into the series, or they want to have a character that's "in the know" who won't spoil the big twist in the end. And of course, there's always doing it [[RuleOfCool just to look cool]] and mysterious regardless of reasons.

* In ''GunnerkriggCourt'' Annie once asks [[PhysicalGod Coyote]] what the Court is, and he replies "It is man's attempt to become God." Coyote immeidately [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] this by asking [[TheDragon Ysengrim]] if it's a sufficiently cryptic answer, to which Ysengrim replies "Very cryptic. It barely answers anything at all." and Annie apends that it just raises more questions. Coyote of course, being TheTrickster, was going for this exactly and is delighted that it was so vague.

* This trope is pretty much everything Quon Kisaragi from ''RahXephon'' ever says, and I can count the exceptions to this on one hand. Creepy old guy, Ernst von Bahbem, isn't much better about this.

* [[TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness Two or more plot relevant characters]] (villains or not) will speak in vague terms about the hero, his role, the progress of their schemes, etc, all while staying stylish with [[TheFaceless light-repelling rouge]].

* VampireKnight has a lot of this, especially Kaname.

-->'''Linus:''' ''.oO (WTF???)''

* {{Mathemetician's Answer}}

* MathemeticiansAnswer

* Almost everything Itachi from ''Naruto'' has EVER said.

* Revolutionary Girl Utena loves this one. Any time Touga is alone with Anthy or Akio, it's pretty much Cryptic Conversation time. Then there's the "chick" speech that Touga says every time the Student Council has one of their meetings. Then there's that time in Episode 13 where Akio is talking at Dios. And then there's the Shadow Play girls.

* VaguenessIsComing - [[DoomyDoomsOfDoom Doom]] is upon us! ''Beware'' the Beast with [[FreudWasRight two backs]]. '''He''' will knock three times!

* VaguenessIsComing - [[DoomyDoomsOfDoom Doom]] is upon us! ''Beware'' the Beast [[FreudWasRight with two backs]]. '''He''' will knock three times!

* VaguenessIsComing - ''Beware'' the Beast [[FreudWasRight with two backs]]. '''He''' will knock three times!

* VaguenessIsComing

Just like a villain can't resist EvilGloating, these characters will often hold entire conversations (one sided or not) using only vague, cryptic, ominous, and frequently DoubleEntendre laden terms and phrases to confuse the player and character. Why [[CanNotSpitItOut don't they spill the beans quickly]] to help bring down the EvilOverlord? Well, usually the character in question either wants to [[YouAreNotReady protect]] or [[XanatosGambit manipulate]] the hero, other times they want to hide the truth. Of course, sometimes they ''do'' want to spill their guts but can't, due to a {{geas}} or [[TheFettered binding oath]], and even the little they do dish out can get them in trouble. The Author of the character in question might not have mapped out that far ahead into the series, or they want to have a character that's "in the know" who won't spoil the big twist in the end. And of course, there's always doing it [[RuleOfCool just to look cool]] and mysterious regardless of reasons.

* The WaifProphet, MadOracle, or another oracular type uttering a prophecy to the main character. Questioning the oracle on its meaning [[IceCreamKoan will never help;]] they were either in a trance and don't remember what they said, were already as clear as they could be, or [[FigureItOutYourself "they are just the messenger, not the interpreter".]]

* YouKnowTheOne - Pronouns like "it", "them", "he", etc. Usually italicized or quoted. The cryptic conversation will rarely if ever speak using actual nouns, much less proper names.

Contrast TroubleEntendre, wherein the sinister meaning is transparent, but not to passersby. Compare TalkingThroughTechnique, where a concise conversation is held without ever saying a word.