Marco's Heart

[peccatore]

You find yourself in a bright white, circular room. It's nearly empty; too bare, almost clinically so. But the bareness of it means that what is visible here stands out:

A podium in the center, where a familiar figure sits, head buried in his hands. Three paths running from the podium to three different spots near the edges of the room - not corners; circles don't have corners - where three doors leading seemingly nowhere stand with no regard for their complete lack of structural support.

It doesn't take you long to figure out where you are, does it? You only have to decide where to start.

Comments

[queenamongrooks]

Well, alright then. Give it a go.

[Watching with her arms crossed, looking down the alleyway like she expects a cop to pop out at any moment.]

[peccatore]

"Wha-- What do you--"

He looks at the wall, then at Mal, then back at the wall again.

"Do you think I need to punch the wall?"

[queenamongrooks]

It's a memory of you punching the wall. You're the only you we have, currently.

[peccatore]

"Well... Well, alright."

So he positions himself the way he thinks he's supposed to - back to the wall - and goes for it.

... There isn't a lot of oomph to the punch.

"That's still not... I mean, w-without being in that mindset..."

But it must have had some effect, because in the next moment, a woman's voice rings out, somewhere above them yet impossibly close.

"Damned son! Letting his thoughts sink into sin!"

"Begging for forgiveness while his heart sings for a man's blood..." A man's voice, this time. "Oh, poor son. Oh, wretched son."

[queenamongrooks]

Oh heavens. I was wondering when this would start.

[peccatore]

"... They're mostly in the other door," Marco mumbles. "I think. But, but when this happened..."

[queenamongrooks]

They taunted you for your vampirism and sexuality.

[She sighs.]

I'm sorry, Marco. You must have felt... very alone like this.

[peccatore]

Marco is quiet. The next words out of his mouth are barely audible, and he can't bring himself to look Mal in the eyes.

"... I really, truly wanted to kill him."

[queenamongrooks]

Wanting a man who seems hell bent on ruining your life dead is nothing to be ashamed of, Marco.

[peccatore]

"..."

He doesn't seem to have a counterargument.

"I... I don't know how to move on to the next memory now."

[queenamongrooks]

Well as far as I can tell this alley doesn't have any doors so maybe if we just-

[She's just going to try to leave the alley.]

[peccatore]

Marco follows her, and...

This time, they find themselves in the living room of someone with more money than good sense. A pair of silver ankle cuffs lie on the floor, broken; that girl with the corset who was there in the arena is here, too. She looks completely lost.

Marco groans.

"Well, at least it looks like I don't have to see this again."

[queenamongrooks]

[Gasp!]

Oh, it's that girl from before! Wait, where are we?

[peccatore]

"This is Kaphlar - that man's - house.

[queenamongrooks]

[She kicks at the silver shackles.]

I see. This Mr. Kinra was more than a little obsessed with you, hm?

[peccatore]

"You know, I'm glad you think so. I've been a little afraid it was only in my head."

[queenamongrooks]

Marco, these chains are silver. They must have cost a pretty penny, all in the interest of capturing you, I would assume.

Unless our clearance rack burlesque dancer friend is a vampire as well.

[peccatore]

The girl looks dismayed.

"She-- She's nice, I think."

[queenamongrooks]

Is she? What's she doing in this memory, then?

[Mal eyes the girl suspiciously.]

[peccatore]

Her expression shifts from dismay to something that sits more heavily on her, something upset and angry and disappointed.

"Kaph wanted Marco to turn me," she says.

[queenamongrooks]

From your expression, I take it he did not consult you on this plan. Were you even interested in becoming a vampire?

[peccatore]

"... He said he wanted it to be a 'surprise.'"

(Effy might have considered it, if she'd had ANY warning. Marco has no way of knowing this.)

[queenamongrooks]

Hm. Not exactly great anniversary gift is it, undeath?

[peccatore]

She stays silent. As does Marco. After a few seconds, he awkwardly says,

"Well, this is just uncomfortable now."

[queenamongrooks]

Is there anything more to do here or should we move it along?