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

[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?

[peccatore]

"I..."

He takes a deep breath and, finally, looks Nikolai in the eye.

"I don't know... what you're hoping to accomplish. What you're hoping to reveal to me. So what if I found something I'm passionate about? I-- It was only because of that that I had the means and the influence to hurt even more people later on. You don't have the full picture."

[too_cleverfox]

You're so hell-bent on your guilt and your penance. I would think that you'd actually try to do something about it.

Or is what you want to have people tell you that you are a horrible person to exist?

[peccatore]

"I did do something about it. That's the problem."

[too_cleverfox]

Show me, then.

[peccatore]

He sighs.

"There's another door," the Father says.
"But it STARTS in this one," the Mother says. "Are you tired, noble young man? How much do you want to know? How much do you want to see?"

[too_cleverfox]

Enough to understand the situation.

[peccatore]

Marco glances at the Parents, as if seeking reassurance. They do not seem to react in any visible way, but this is enough for him - he nods.

"Then take these," he says, handing Nikolai a solid pile of documents, files and scattered notes. "And go to the door guarded by the green-haired man."

[too_cleverfox]

[Nikolai's going to rifle through the documents first, to get an idea of what they are.]

What are these?

[peccatore]

Some of the files appear to contain news articles about mysterious phenomena. Part of them certainly sound supernatural in nature. Others could very well be talking about the weather.

Some of the documents appear to contain drafts for a 5-to-10 year timeline - a mission plan of sorts. They're full of handwritten notes. The year 2016 is circled and underlined on one of them. The word "PUBLIC" is right next to it.

The smaller notes are all handwritten, and quite hard to follow. They appear to be collections of thoughts.

Marco seems reluctant to explain any of then.