"There is the truth , the perception of truth, and versions that don't even come close; but it's the perception that creates the most conflict every time."
So said author Johnnie Dent Jr. He would love Welsh rugby.
There is plenty in the Welsh game which has the capacity to create several versions of "the truth". A definitive series of events can be hard to nail down among different perspectives.
Perhaps nothing puts that theory to the test more than the topic of mergers. Inherently, the nature of a merger lends itself to conflicting accounts.
The latest one floated in Welsh rugby has seen Cardiff and Y11 Sport, the majority owners of the Ospreys, holding exploratory talks amid Welsh rugby's ongoing financial difficulties.
So far, there has been no denial that talks happened. Indeed, that is widely accepted to be the case by now. Instead, it is when they happened and who instigated them where the doubt lies.
Depending on who you talk to, you will likely hear a different version of events.
For starters, the wording of a 'merger' always seemed off. A team playing in Cardiff and called Cardiff - even with an Ospreys suffix - isn't much of a merged side.
Were the deal to go ahead, Y11 would potentially take over late life president and former chairman Peter Thomas' stake in the club and become the second largest shareholder after Cardiff Athletic Club. The club's Articles of Association ensure no shareholder can own more than 24.9%.
We have been here before, with the Ospreys' future being questioned amid talk of mergers: with the Scarlets in 2019 and then Ealing Trailfinders earlier this year.
The latter even prompted Y11 to tell players and staff they would not be merging with the English club in a memo. "The Ospreys' board of directors has a policy the club does not confirm or deny any media speculation," part of the memo read. "Constantly, there are rumours about the Ospreys just like there are about the other professional clubs in Wales. If the club were to publicly deny media speculation from time to time, then silence from the club on any topic would be interpreted as a confirmation of such speculation."
So far, it would appear that that policy of not confirming or denying speculation is being followed by the Ospreys' majority owners.
WalesOnline understands that the Ospreys players have been assured their futures are safe even if Y11 were to pursue buying a stake in Cardiff, but as one former Ospreys player noted: "We were told the same during the first Scarlets merger and it's only after we realised just how close that got."
This time around, it is understood the players were recently told the club have signed their biggest-ever shirt deal and that work could begin to develop St Helen's shortly, with the lack of a ground - and any asset beyond contract debt as such - a hindrance.
Y11, who also have a 25% stake in New Zealand Super Rugby side Hurricanes, did hold a local link at the time of their acquisition - with the father of founder and CEO James Davies-Yandle having played for Swansea. Y11 have publicly stated how they operate, saying: "Y11 Sport & Media are in the business of investing in rugby and continues to develop a strategy of multi-club ownership and developing a commercial ecosystem that will benefit all clubs within the group of clubs. As a result, the company discusses with professional clubs across all major rugby competitions as well as governing bodies and other interested parties."
On the topic of the St Helen's redevelopment, one Swansea City Council source indicated that any work could take a considerable time to begin with factors like planning permission, transparent procurement processes, advertising for contracting and any objection or Welsh Government intervention.
Initially, there had been silence on the matter of a merger. Up until Monday morning, no statement had been issued, with the only piece of information pushed out being that the Professional Rugby Board had not had an approach from any club to merge.
Player reaction has been few and far between, too. Responding to the story on social media, Ospreys flanker Harri Deaves simply tweeted: "Standard." Even at the tender age of 22, Deaves has, unfortunately, seen more than enough of these events in his fledgling career.
As time has gone on, though, there has been some communication from the two sides: one direct, the other less so.
On Sunday, an anonymous source was quoted in the Rugby Paper in a defiant mood about the Swansea side's future.
"There have been conversations with Cardiff about trying to help them but they are in a very poor state," said the source. "It’s such a mess. That makes any talks about a merger sound implausible. From a business perspective, it doesn’t make any obvious sense. It’s so far-fetched."
A day later, Cardiff responded with an official statement, effectively confirming there had been an approach but steadfastly saying that the club would continue in its current guise at the Arms Park.
Their statement read: "Following the sad passing of life president Peter Thomas earlier this year there were always going to be changes at the club. The Thomas family have nevertheless continued to support us and have underwritten the new agreement with the Welsh Rugby Union, for which we are enormously grateful.
"We have now received the first allocation of WRU monies, with the remainder scheduled for early next month. This agreement secures the club’s future for the four year term of the agreement, albeit with reduced budgets.
"Since Peter’s sad passing, there have inevitably been numerous enquiries and approaches around the purchase of his shareholding. It is our board’s duty to listen to, and consider, all approaches that could improve our revenues and strengthen the club moving forward. These conversations are commercially sensitive and therefore confidential at this stage.
"Professional rugby is undoubtedly facing significant challenges across the whole game, but Cardiff Rugby will continue and will remain at Cardiff Arms Park."
Two conflicting methods of communication and two differing accounts. What is seemingly confirmed in both is that talks happened.
As one Cardiff source put it, the gist of Y11's talks were they came in, had a look and have now gone. Despite the initial suggestion of interest, it is understood that is no longer the case.
When these talks happened, though, is a matter of perception, it seems. One source suggested that discussions were held only a few weeks ago when both teams were financially struggling before the first instalment of the new six-year funding framework had come in.
Other sources suggest discussions happened at a much earlier date prior to Thomas' passing, as far back as February according to some.
There are also conflicting accounts on who instigated the talks, with Cardiff's statement clearly suggesting Y11 had initiated talks. Some Swansea sources suggest it was the Arms Park side who went to Y11.
Ultimately, that is the nature of teams posturing for their survival.
There is a growing consensus that there is only enough money for three teams in Wales. However, there is no public stance of that nature so speculation only grows and festers, with one of the saddest sights being regional fans engaged in discussions on social media over which side is the healthiest, or, rather, the least in danger.
Sources from one team would have you believe that it's the others in the firing line and vice versa. At times, it is little more than mud-flinging.
The reality is that we're not exactly in a world of Malcolm Tucker spin here. It's not quite that sophisticated, despite the various perceptions of the truth.
However, Welsh rugby does often end up resembling the chaotic nature of The Thick of It. This latest episode only serves to remind us of that.
The perception of truth? It certainly creates conflict.
