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]

"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.

[peccatore]

"... Yes." He sighs.

"Our holy book is comprised of... Well, of many different parts, actually, but it's more broadly split into the Old Testament and the New Testament. It's the New Testament that's especially important to-- Er, to this particular branch of the religion that I subscribe to, because it tells the story of Jesus Christ. And, uh, it amends, or... otherwise renders null some of the earlier teachings."

[pyrrhicviktory]

Religions can adapt and change over time, as the times change. It is not so unusual for the rules to be updated.

[peccatore]

"Right, of course. Uh-- What more did you want to know?"

[pyrrhicviktory]

Hmm. Your parents... or I should say, your perceptions of them, seemed particularly fixated on "God's plan." Is that common? Is there a dogma about how the world is supposed to go?

[peccatore]

"... No. Not necessarily. Some people... do believe God has a predetermined path for all of us. But I can't say that it's a tenet."

[pyrrhicviktory]

Then... what about you? What do you believe?

[peccatore]

His brow furrows in thought.

"I'd rather believe in free will, I think."

[pyrrhicviktory]

You don't sound very certain.

[peccatore]

"... I-- Even looking beyond... my life, on its own... Too many terrible things happen for all of it to be God's design. If you ask me."

[pyrrhicviktory]

Mm. I prefer to believe we have free will as well. To a certain extent, anyway.

[peccatore]

"To an extent...?"