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

[too_cleverfox]

Better than murder.

[He clears his throat to see if he can get this Marco's attention]

[peccatore]

It works. Marco flinches, flustered in a way that seems very typical of his present-day self.

"I-- I agree. But that doesn't mean I like it."

[too_cleverfox]

Sure, but what are the alternatives?

[peccatore]

"This was... the best I could find, I think." He sighs. "When I moved to New York."

[too_cleverfox]

Exactly.

Pardon me, as I'm going to sound exceedingly harsh here, but you chose to live, rather than die, correct?

[peccatore]

"That's... correct."

The Parents' shadows loom over Marco. He seems to be bracing himself...

[too_cleverfox]

Then why are you making it so hard on yourself?

[peccatore]

"I--"

The Parents are the ones who answer instead.

"Because he is a coward!"
"Because he knows his choice is selfish!"

[too_cleverfox]

[he turns to the parents and rolls his eyes a little]

Yes yes, I know that, I want to hear it from him.

[peccatore]

"... Why? They're right. Death... Death would be the right choice."

[too_cleverfox]

But that's not what you chose. So why are you still alive and kicking? What reasons keep you around?

[peccatore]

"Selfishness. And cowardice."

... But he's clearly answered too quickly to have given it any thought.

[too_cleverfox]

Selfishness for what? What keeps you wanting to keep going, to keep living?

[peccatore]

"It's his nature," the Mother interrupts.
"Poor son... A parasite only knows how to live."
"Poor son!"

Even though he knows fully well that it's his answer Nikolai wants, Marco can't seem to bring himself to contest any of this.

[too_cleverfox]

Yes, unfortunately for him, he's got more brain cells and hopefully more reason than a mere parasite.

Even parasites live to propagate.

[peccatore]

"... B-But I've never turned anyone," Marco mumbles.

[too_cleverfox]

Right, and that's a good thing. Somewhat. So what's the reason?

[He quickly turns around to the parent sto give them a shushing look. To let him answer.]

[peccatore]

... But Marco doesn't seem to know what to say. He shakes his head, speechless.

[too_cleverfox]

Think about it. Why do you choose to exist?

[peccatore]

He just... keeps shaking his head.

"I can't... R-Right now, I can't..."

[too_cleverfox]

How many centuries have you had to consider that?

[peccatore]

"Almost three now."
"Almost three hundred years of selfishness and sin."

... Marco nods. The answer is correct.

[too_cleverfox]

So what have you been doing those three hundred years? Passion projects? Barely subsisting?

Finding a solution to exist? Like, Marco, honestly.

[peccatore]

"... I... I started a company--"

"Your accomplishments don't absolve you!"
"Don't listen to him! This isn't what you're here for!"

Marco rubs his temples, his eyes shut hard. It's going to be very difficult to get anything positive out of him in this door, or with those specters present.

[too_cleverfox]

All Saints, will the both of you please be quiet for a moment?

I'm well aware of who and what he is and what number of possible atrocities he's committed.

[He gestures back to Marco.]

Go on. Why do that?