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

[pyrrhicviktory]

... I do not wish to press. But... it seems to be part of the reason I am here, no?

[peccatore]

"... I think it is the reason you're here. Yes."

[pyrrhicviktory]

It obviously did not end well, given that it seems to be a memory that is tormenting you.

[peccatore]

"Of course it didn't end well. That man... exposed me. The green-haired man. But--"

He takes a deep breath.

"But then again... if I hadn't been exposed..."

[pyrrhicviktory]

If you hadn't been exposed...?

[peccatore]

Marco's hands are shaking. This is... very clearly difficult for him.

"I-I wouldn't have stopped until I was the last person on Earth with supernatural abilities. That was the plan. And then... Then I'd expose myself."

[pyrrhicviktory]

Why such a drastically violent plan? Why not help to facilitate ways the supernatural and humanity can live together peacefully? They cannot all be evil.

[peccatore]

"Of course not. Of course they're not. But I, I thought-- I-I wasn't thinking straight, Viktor." His shoulders slump. "I thought the spirits of my parents were bringing me messages from God, watching me, judging me. Everything-- Everything I did, everything I said... All of it stemmed from that."

[pyrrhicviktory]

... What was the outcome, in the end?

[peccatore]

"I was put on trial. Sentenced to six months of treatment in a psychiatric hospital."

[pyrrhicviktory]

... Well, out of all the possible outcomes, I would say that one is near the best, wouldn't you?

[peccatore]

"I... can't, in good conscience, argue with that. But it doesn't change what I've done. What I know I'm capable of doing, if-- Lord, I don't know. If my medication stops working for some reason."

[pyrrhicviktory]

If nobody came to any harm, you haven't really done anything so much as attempted to do something. I know the difference may seem small... but the distinction is important. You got treatment, and continue in your efforts to try and do good, even when it is difficult for you.

That isn't meaningless.

[peccatore]

He averts his eyes, staring down at his clenched hands instead.

"I never said nobody came to any harm. I... I remember many people listened to me for long enough to..." He sighs. "To get the message I was trying to send them."

[pyrrhicviktory]

... Ah.

[ sigh ]

... I suppose I should not be surprised.

[peccatore]

"I had money. I had moneys. And unfortunately, I used them. I used them, when I should have just--" Marco shakes his head. He's curving, now, like he's trying to settle back into that tensed, curled-up position Viktor first found him in. "Just cut to the chase. If I wanted to go to Hell so badly."

[pyrrhicviktory]

Can you... tell me a little more about your beliefs? Your religion, I mean.

It seems to be very important to you. But I do not know enough about it to comment, whenever you bring it up.

[peccatore]

"Uh-- I, I can try. I'm not sure if you have any frame of reference to-- I-I know some people in Tributary are new to the concept of monotheism."

[pyrrhicviktory]

I understand it a little. Piltover was founded by a scientist, but started as a melting pot. A place of refuge for those who were fleeing war and persecution. As such, we have people of all faiths and many of none.

It has been explained to me... there are two afterlives in your religion. One for those who do good, and one for those who do not. That is the "hell" you refer to. And then there is a... saviour figure, who was the son of your god, correct?

[peccatore]

"Yes, uh. That would be Jesus Christ."

Why is this conversation ringing a bell. Why is he getting just the slightest bit of dejá vù.

[pyrrhicviktory]

I see. I don't know much more than this. What else does your religion say about your god?

For example... in Zaun, the most popular deity is Janna. She is a wind spirit, and people often pray to her for clean air.

[peccatore]

"Well... Er, God doesn't have a specific... domain like that. He's... omnipotent, as well as omniscient. Why is why He's... just the one, I suppose."

[pyrrhicviktory]

I see. What else? Did he... come from anywhere? What is he known for? What are his ideals?

[peccatore]

"He, ah, created the world and every single thing on it, supposedly. He's... good, and kind and merciful."

... Marco is anticipating an objection.

[pyrrhicviktory]

[ Viktor definitely has objections, but it isn't time for those yet. Instead, he says ]

I can see how that would be appealing.