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

[mindmills]

Blank and white like this? And why are you on a podium?

[peccatore]

"I don't know where else to go. I don't-- I can't."

A bright, harsh light shines on him from above.

[mindmills]

[ Mark squints up at the light. ]

... Are you trapped?

[peccatore]

"N-- No."

For what it's worth, he appears to be genuinely confused by the idea.

[mindmills]

So you're up there on purpose?

[peccatore]

"It-- It's where I... It's what I..."

... Actually, does he just sound confused in general?

[mindmills]

... You don't sound sure at all, Marco.

[ Mark S reaches a hand out to him. ]

[peccatore]

Marco stares at that hand as if it were on fire, then shakes his head.

[mindmills]

[ Mark S keeps the hand extended.

Why not?

[peccatore]

"I'll... I don't... deserve you."

[mindmills]

[ Mark S blinks slowly, then shrugs. ]

I mean, I'm pretty bad at deserving things too.

[peccatore]

"You deserve to be free. You deserve the world."

[mindmills]

… I’m not going to argue with that.

But how do I help you?

[peccatore]

"... It's your first time."

He hesitates - visibly, physically, verbally. His hands cling tightly to his own legs.

"I don't know if you can... help. But those doors will lead you to places."

[mindmills]

First time…?

[ He turns back towards the doors. ]

I - uh - I can do that. Yeah. If it will help.

[peccatore]

"In someone's... 'Heart.'"

[mindmills]

... Yeah. Okay. That's - true.

[ But okay he can do this!! Another faint flicker, and he heads for a door. ]

I'll figure it out though. You'll be okay.

[peccatore]

Part of Marco wants to stop him from going towards that particular door...

But ultimately, he can't bring himself to.