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

[sangwhine]

What had you remembered, exactly?

[peccatore]

"I, I remembered..."

Hesitantly, Marco looks around. The ones who would have shown Ambrose the answer to that question are gone now. If anyone is going to say it, it has to be him.

"... The worst thing I think I've ever done. I hope it's the worst."

[sangwhine]

And? What did you do?

[peccatore]

"... I tried to take every single non-human down with me."

[sangwhine]

Tried to? How?

[peccatore]

"Through propaganda. Fear. I let humanity know about the sorts of creatures, the, the magic all around them that they never knew was real. I... 'warned' them of the danger they were in."

[sangwhine]

And? Did the masses bend to your beck and call?

[peccatore]

"Of course not. But... But enough people did listen. I made sure of it. I had the power and the means."

[sangwhine]

And how many died because of your self-flagellation?

[peccatore]

"I don't know," he says, very quietly, before sitting down on the ground curled in on himself, like before.

[sangwhine]

[He snorts a little]

Gods, you are the worst.

[peccatore]

After a moment, Marco just sort of... arches his back, runs his hands down his face, and leans aaall the way back, lying down straight with his eyes shut.

"Ugh, I can't just wallow right in front of you."

[sangwhine]

No? You seemed to be quite adept at it.

[peccatore]

"I mean I'd rather not keep doing it, regardless of how I'm feeling. You may not be my-- my personal Greek chorus, but your commentary isn't all that pleasant either.

[sangwhine]

I'm only being honest with you, darling. You inflicted you own self hatred on innocent people. And for what? So you could assuage your guilt? Atone for your sins? Gods, the ego on you, to attempt to punish the world for your own folly.

[peccatore]

"... I know. I know you're right."

[sangwhine]

Good.

Now how do I get out of this gods damned place?

[peccatore]

"If I knew that, I would have told you by now."

[sangwhine]

Aren't you helpful.

[He turns to consider the last path]

[peccatore]

"... If you attack her, either she'll kill you or I'll do it myself."

Marco IS still lying down when he says this, which may diminish its value as a threat.

[sangwhine]

Do you honestly think I'm just here to commit wanton murder?

[peccatore]

"I'll grant you that one of the murders was at my encouragement, but you were the one who took the initiative on the first two."

[sangwhine]

Yes, because you told me that you were haunted by the specters of your dead parents. I thought it might address the issue.

[peccatore]

"... Oh."

It had somehow not occurred to Marco that this could have been Ambrose's motivation.

[sangwhine]

So. Not simply wanton slaughter.