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From:

[a little after the locations are revealed, shadowheart can be found in the church. she's changed into a change of clothes, and she clearly thinks she's alone. she's got a glass with her that seems like it came from the bar, and she's standing on one of the pews, inspecting one of the axolotl windows up close carefully, running a finger along the glass.

and then she appears to be startled when someone comes in after her.]

Ah, hello! I was just looking for someplace to be alone with my thoughts for a moment.

From:

[ He walks in and everything is so much here. It's cute as hell though. Why can't his god be the Salmonsnake. ]

Oh -- sorry. I can leave if you wanted the place to yourself.

From:

That's alright. I found myself distracted from such thoughts upon finding that this was a church to a salamander.

[is it cute...]

From:

It's cute... erm.

[ Ahem. ]

I'm not sure if it's meant to be serious or not.

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I certainly hope it isn't. But there are some stupid religions out there, it stands to reason. When there are so many stupid people to believe.

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I don't see any believers but the place looks clean.

...

Everywhere does, even though it's just us. Actually I think it's the other people that are making everything messier.

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The other people? Who do you mean?

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Like how someone clogged a bathroom... someone has broken things and set stuff on fire.

I don't know if it's the same person.

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Ah, yes. I almost find it comforting. Yesterday, speaking with everyone - most of us were so level-headed about death. Though I can't say I endorse clogging toilets and setting fires, it's good to know not all of us are so easily appeased.

From:

You think it was a retaliation gesture?

...

They could have at least not specifically picked the only unlocked stall.

[ Alas with every game we truly deserve toilets less and less. ]

I am not happy about this either.

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The lack of toilets, or dying?

[lightly. she knows he means dying.]

From:

... Both.

[ He would have said dying but honestly the other thing kind of sucks too. ]

From:

Both.

[but there's little they can do about the toilets.]

I'm - I didn't think it would end that way. I don't know what I was thinking, really.

From:

Me neither.

[ Grim, but he's no good with words so he doesn't elabourate much more. ]

What happened to you?

From:

[she has to consider her answer.]

I had a task to fulfill. I failed at it. Or, perhaps it would be more accurate to say, I faltered. I wanted answers, so I hesitated at a critical moment, and now I'm here, with no answers to speak of.

From:

I understand. I'm not looking for answers, but I also hesitated, and it was a mistake.

It isn't easy, sitting around after something like that.

From:

[aww man. sympathy.]

...No. I want the chance to either make it right, or get those damn answers. Either way. But this, it being over, I cannot accept.

From:

That is a good attitude to have. A true warrior doesn't give up.

It is confusing now but it can't stay that way forever. We will figure something out.

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Do you really think so? You are a reassuring one.

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I do.

[ If nothing else he is good at not being a downer... wow! ]

If we can get answers to some questions today, we can get answers to more questions tomorrow. So... hang in there. It's not good to dwell much.

[ Even if it is in the face of a stained glass axolotl. ]

From:

If only there was more to do than get lost in my thoughts...

[she never claimed to be an optimist. definitely isn't one.]

From:

If you need somebody to talk to, I'm always around.

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Is that so. There really are wonderful amenities here.

From:

[let's use the new locations so this is out near the entrance to the lighthouse, but shadowheart has stopped her exploring around when she's suddenly been overcome by affection week. she hears a chirping sound from a bush as the owlbear cub comes trundling back out from whatever pile of trash it was rooting around, some french fries in his mouth.

and shadowheart instantly starts talking to him in a baby voice]

There you are! Getting into trouble, are you? Don't get me kicked out of here, please.

[she will also throw her arms around his fluffy neck and start petting his feathers while she continues to baby voice at him.]

From:

[ He walks into this and he does not feel any semblance of feeling like he walked into anything he should not see. This is respectable behaviour. She's right. ]

What is that?

From:

[she's... a little embarrassed at being caught doing that.]

Ahem. Hello, Marcoh. This is an owlbear cub.

From:

Hello.

Is this something you can find in the... Baldur's Gate, you said?

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Hardly. Well, on the outskirts. In the wilderness, certainly. Not really a "pet" so much as a vicious wild beast.

...Aren't you?

[petting him.]

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You seem comfortable with the "vicious wild beast".

Aren't I what?

[ But he is definitely Looking. ]

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[embarrassed again.]

I was talking to him.

[but she shrugs a bit.]

He was captured by some goblins, they were training him to fight. We wound up freeing him and feeding him a bit, so he follows us. Not exactly tame, though.

From:

Oh, sorry.

[ Presumptious of him... ]

Does he have a name?

[ There is. Definitely the vibe of wanting to approach but withholding. ]

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He does not, but we won't bite if you want to pet him.

[it really is so rude that the owlbear cub doesn't have a name, but he doesn't.]

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Can I?

[ ... Approaching... kneeling down. Hello Owlbear^TM... ]

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[he's just a very cute and friendly guy so yeah feel free, fluff him up.]

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[ He reaches out and gives Owlbear a little fluff... a little pet... around the head and ears... this is incredible. ]

I've never seen anything like him.

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They're cute, but you really shouldn't get too attached. He'll grow up and eat you in your sleep.

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He will have to fight me to eat me.

[ Scrungles his fluffy little face. Who's a good Owlbear who will grow up big and strong and hungry. It's yooou. ]

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He would have a harder time than most at least.

[yay he loves to be pet.]

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What does he eat?

[ Glancing up at her. This answer will determine many things. ]

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They're scavengers, mostly. Meat. Foraging. That sort of thing.

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...

[ Strongly debates asking. ]

Do you think he would eat a frog?

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Are you... trying to rid yourself of a frog?

From:

No!

[ Whoops. Sorry. He blinks. ]

No, I uh. I have one.

[ And someone was like someone's got an Owlbear and it might eat frogs so watch out. ]

I was wondering if they would get along or not.

From:

Oh. I strongly suspect not. I think he will eat it, yes.

From:

That's too bad.

[ It doesn't deter him from petting Owlbear any less but he does give off soft dang energy. And then as if realising he's been doing this a little too overlong: ]

Oh -- sorry. If I was interrupting you from anything.

From:

Not at all.

[honestly she could not begrudge someone wanting to get soft fluffy owlbear pets and in fact you get Shadowheart Approves for petting him.]

Perhaps you might introduce me to your frog sometime when he isn't near enough to cause trouble.

From:

Sure, if you want to meet him. I keep him in my room half the time, but I'm sometimes carrying him around to get some fresh air.

[ It seems cruel to not let him feel some fresh sun and eat flies or whatever...... ]

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I would like to.

[her horrible secret is, she fuckin' loves animals, man.]

Even if it is a tad unorthodox as a pet.

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[ We're gonna be besties.

If he had just a bit more sass in him at this stage of their acquaintanceship he'd say 'and an Owlbear is?' ]

He came with me in the box. I couldn't just leave him out there. So I guess he's kind of like my pet now.

From:

Ah. Very much the same with me and this creature, but at least yours won't devour you in your sleep one of these days.

[she knows. she said they shouldn't keep the owlbear. but he's so, so cute.]

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Is this an active danger?

[ Looking at her a little concerned like. Are we gonna wake up one of these days to you having a huge chunk bitten out of you?? He looks at the little fluffball like you shouldn't do that she's very nice. ]

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...No, not really.

[she's mostly just being rude.]

He'll grow up to be a handful, but he knows not to bite the hands that feed him.

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That is good. He will grow up well under your care.

[ Trusts Shart to be a good pet mom. Look at how much adoration she gave Owlbear earlier... she'll do great. ]

From:

[voids you voids you voids you.]

I wish I could say I wasn't expecting this.

[but she still looks troubled and a bit frustrated, purplish black smoke starting to gather under her skin in response. she looks at him.]

How are you feeling?

From:

[ WEEE ]

I was hoping I wouldn't have to expect to.

[ He wasn't paranoid about getting locked in but after they did? ]

From:

[she... can't help but laugh a little at the way he phrased that, even though she gets it.]

Yes, exactly. It would be nice if everything was as we were told it would be, but how often is that ever the case?

From:

Apparently not this time.

...

[ He absently puts a hand on his own abdomen, rubbing a spot. ]

You think it was one person, taking out two?

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I... don't know. I wouldn't be surprised if it was more than that. With the apples.

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[ He grimaces. ]

Shouldn't we know better than this? To believe the snake?

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The snake? You mean the salamander?

[she doesn't know a christianity.]

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Oh --

It is a thing, in the scripture. The Garden of Eden, and the snake that tempted humanity's first sin, to disobey by eating fruit from the forbidden tree...

[ Sometimes I am like I better not assume the Funger Bible is the same because this world is sooo fucked up! and then I remember Marcoh literally namedropped Sodom and Gomorrah so I'm like I guess it's just the fucking Bible. Whatever! Whatever!!! Claims this knowledge because apparently it's coming in handy!!! ]

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Oh.

[well that retroactively makes that so tacky.]

Ew. They really are just so... heavy-handed about it.

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I thought, considering how different it was, that it would be more foreign.

But ay, it's pretty much spot on. And the message is telling.

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The angels seemed convinced we wouldn't touch it. But I'm not so sure.

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They've... read the scripture... right?

[ The funniest possible thing that could happen is that not a single damn angel knows a lick of the Bible. ]

Or are aware what it promises?

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They told me about the religion where people worship a baby. Is that the bible?

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Um... maybe? It depends a little bit on the baby...?

[ Is it baby Jesus...? ]

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[it is.]

It's a baby that grew up and was crucified and died.

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That sounds close enough to Alll-mer that I can see it, I think.

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So they're at least a little aware.

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Signs are pointing to that they should probably know what that tree means, if they know the basics of it. Every child in the Vatican knows about the Garden of Eden at the least.

[ Y'all can we cut that tree down. ]

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Do you know what sort of sins are considered the worst by that church?

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...Murder.

[ Like doy. It's kind of grimly funny almost, if Marcoh didn't look a way about it. ]

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Ah. A common one, unless you're talking about Bhaal.

[but that's neither here nor there.]

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Your Lady?

[ Shadowheart never gave a name. ]

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No, no, certainly not. [yuck.] That's the god of murder. But the aesthetics of that god are very striking, we'd know. No subtlety there.

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Oh. I guess, then that might be a bit like Gro-goroth.

[ Sometimes you really do just have gods of death and murder. ]

From:

[yeah! that's normal.]

Lots of nasty sacrifices, piles of corpses left littered everywhere? I follow Shar. She has subtlety and does not wish to be given someone's entrails as an offering.

[she just wants them destroyed psychologically and then maybe also still killed.]

From:

A little bit. Grandpa told me it was a bit like that in the olden days. Things like that died out in most of the modern world [ 1942 ] but I learned some places apparently still do it.

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Good to hear they have mostly died out. I must emphasize that these things are frowned upon, to say the least. But cultists can be found.

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It kind of depends on how old-school you are where I'm from, and with how pious.

...

Oh, I frown upon it too though.

[ Just adding that in, he's no crusader. ]

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Are you from that sort of faith? Do the old school ones still practice it?

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I mostly go to the Church of Alll-mer. It's the biggest one in the Vatican, probably most people at least worship casually.

It is the one whose scripture has all that stuff I mentioned.

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[oh ok it would be awkward if she was shit talking the murder faith but that was his. she's an open-minded lady, Bhaal is just so. Icky.]

So a little more mainstream.

From:

[ Everyone is like where's the part where he's super fucked up Lowe and wouldn't it be funny if it was actually murder faith. But no yeah.

He nods. ]

As far as the new or ascended gods go, ay, he is the most "mainstream" I think.

From:

[i believe he is super fucked up and we will find out more]

Shar is a little less on the beaten path, admittedly.

From:

[ OK ]

You just worship the one, too?

From:

Just the one. [a smile.] Though there are many, the gods tend to be jealous of such things, when it comes to their chosen ones.

Lady Shar does not suffer those who dabble and search for who has the best offer. Those who betray her are punished for it.

From:

Most are not picky. Many Dark Priests worship more than one. They say Rher is jealous, but more that he does not want to share power, less about having believers.

... She communicates with you often? Your Lady Shar?

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Not often, no. I have only heard her voice when I was in her inner sanctum.

But she shows signs. There are ways of knowing if she is pleased or displeased.

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That's good...? A lot would say some answer is better than no answer.

From:

They might. Then again, it depends on the exact nature of the signs you receive.

From:

If you never liked what you heard then there probably wouldn't be a religion around it.

[ Prooobably. ]

From:

Not always. Sometimes it isn't a matter of liking it as much as...

[she pauses.]

Well, I'm rambling on, and this isn't exactly important right now.

From:

I don't mind rambling. But alright.

[ He nods, stoic. ]

We will have a long day tomorrow, I am sure, if things are the same.

Try to rest if you can.

From:

[ We're somewhere in Oz, doing the standard exploration type stuff. I'm thinking somewhere closer to the House of Cards but I'm not picky.

Marcoh is looking at all this like it's out of his paygrade. Not necessarily in a bad way but it's all a lot happening. ]

It's like a totally different dimension.

From:

It's beautiful. I love it here.

[she sounds... totally sincere? she's smiling, looking around. the cards are fine with her. there's just something about the chaos of it all, how unsettling but aesthetically beautiful it all is.]

From:

Do you think so?

[ Marcoh doesn't seem to HATE it but he's clearly a little disoriented by it all. ]

I've never seen anything like it.

From:

Nor have I. But I feel at peace in this place.

[she really does seem peaceful.]

Can I show you something? Will you follow me?

From:

[ He looks at her and seems a little softer himself for it. He's glad, genuinely, that somebody is finding some peace after these tough days, and he likes Shadowheart. ]

Sure. What is it?

From:

You'll see.

[she gives him a smile, and then begins to walk into the dark forest.]

From:

[ Follows the pretty cult lady into the dark woods. ]

From:

[this is killing me.]

I think what I like best about this place is that I'm not afraid of it. So many of you seem so unsettled by it, but there's nothing in it that holds any fear for me.

From:

I don't think you were ever afraid of the other places either, were you?

[ Shadowheart seems like a resilient person. ]

I do think... I don't know. Maybe it is unsettling, maybe it isn't. It's just otherworldly enough, but it's like...

[ Hmm. ]

It isn't dissimilar to grounds that gods touch.

From:

Exactly.

[grounds that gods touch - that's beautiful.]

Every single place we have been before, I have been afraid. Terribly so, always. If I managed to hide it, I'm surprised.

From:

Really? I couldn't tell. Sorry.

...

Is it that it's too... [ Hm. How should he say it. ] Bright?

From:

In a way. But only metaphorically.

[she keeps wandering with no obvious destination in mind.]

We've both talked about our faith, but I never wanted to admit it. I was consumed by the fear that I'd been abandoned by my goddess. That if she still wanted me, then I wouldn't be here.

From:

[ Oh. Yeah. ]

...I get it. I didn't think this was a place I would go either. Not that where I thought I'd go would be better.

It's sort of the opposite. It felt too nice. Being here.

Although the recent things make me think, maybe it wasn't actually a mistake.

From:

I don't think it was a mistake, either.

[she looks at him, concern in her eyes.]

When you say you didn't think you'd go here... did you think you'd be punished for something? [or maybe more importantly.] Do you believe your god loves you? Actually loves you?

From:

...Being loved by gods isn't normal. Not personally. Except for Sylvian, the old god of love, but even then her definition isn't like what you should expect from people.

With the right prayers and affinity, they will sometimes answer you with their blessings. But if you're asking if I've ever heard Alll-mer speak to me, then no.

From:

That is how most gods are. But it doesn't have to be. I know my goddess loves me.

And that's why everything is so much easier now.

From:

If you feel that way, then there has to be something to it. You believe in her. If you haven't done anything wrong in your Lady's eyes, then I don't see why she would.

From:

[nodding.]

I haven't done anything wrong. I haven't done anything I need to repent for. Just because I had private doubts and private failings doesn't mean I failed her.

I don't know why I wasted so much time consumed that I'd be judged on those things. In my actions, I was always her champion. And I know now, with certainty, that is enough.

From:

Having a few doubts isn't unusual, I think. I'm taught that it's the ability to still believe after it all.

...Champion, huh? That's a pretty big title.

From:

The title is Dark Justiciar. Somehow I forgot that. Maybe some trick of this place.

I think I'm here on purpose, to serve my role.

From:

[ Marcoh's just a regular believer. Shadowheart, on the other hand, sounds like she's something more along the lines of a High Priestess. That's pretty cool, honestly. ]

Can I ask what that is?

From:

As a Dark Justiciar, I serve as Shar's voice in places she can't reach. I want to spread her darkness here.

This botched redemption trial is the perfect opportunity, isn't it? Everyone will be searching for something else, some other way to find meaning, in the wake of these failures.

From:

[ Oh like a missionary almost... he just nods at the phrase 'spread her darkness', that's obviously totally normal. He's not a priest himself but he gets it's like a whole thing they do. ]

...I guess so, yeah. Coming from where you are.

[ Though, mm. Sounds like a lot of people are lowkey becoming god-haters in real time. ]

I think, if you have done wrong, it is something you will know. You did say if she is displeased, she would let you know.

From:

She certainly would.

[immediate agreement.]

And she has before, but I was naive. I hadn't seen much of the world. When I first began traveling, I was taken by ideas that I knew didn't suit a cleric of Shar, but I thought there was no harm in dabbling in those thoughts.

From:

Curiosity is not inherently bad, I think. Though I don't mean to tread on what you believe, and how.

[ Quiet thinking. ]

There are a lot of things that. Sometimes don't feel right. They tell you it is wrong. But is it really wrong if it doesn't hurt anyone?

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[well. got some news for you about sharran beliefs.]

It isn't wrong if it does hurt someone, either.

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How's that?

[ Tell him more. ]

From:

Does the God you follow never want people to be hurt?

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... Not exactly.

[ There ain't a single god here that isn't Not Safe For Humans to some level. ]

I guess it is... about if that person deserves it.

From:

[she nods...]

That was the problem I dealt with. I didn't want to hurt certain people, even when I knew what Lady Shar's judgment of them would be.

From:

You smite on her behalf?

From:

If necessary.

From:

[ Wow cool. That's not his job and he would not like to have it be his job, but he nods slowly... ]

But you don't always agree.

From:

[well.]

I used to disagree. I used to find it repulsive, sometimes. I would do as I had to do, but inside, every time, I felt no relief, no satisfaction, only pain.

But I've overcome that. I prayed for my doubts to be quieted, and they were.

From:

[ ...Now

He's generally fairly open-minded if not closed-world. But something about this seems to give him pause, his pace slowing and falling a little behind. ]

If you didn't want to, then you shouldn't have to?

From:

[a light laugh.]

Lady Shar does not tolerate defiance. Perhaps there are gods that do, but half-hearted worship is not good enough for her.

From:

...Do you follow her out of loyalty or fear?

From:

It was fear for a very long time. But that's why I'm so happy now. She loves me.

From:

[ GIRL YOUR STOCKHOLM GET OUTTA THERE JENNY we'll make a Selunite out of you yet. Anyway his general respect of her has suddenly turned into something kind of very concerned. Blink twice if you need help. ]

...Because you do what she tells you to.

From:

[to be fair her brain really broke right now at the moment.]

Because I passed her tests and proved my loyalty, yes.

From:

...

I've...

[ Not something he really generally wants to admit but. It was kind of topic-adjacent before this conversation took a worrying turn. ]

...I've also killed someone I did not wish to. But I do not think that is praise-worthy.

I... think of it. Often.

From:

[i really fucking wish she would be nice about this. we'll have to pc about this again later when her brain is better,]

...Who?

From:

[ SHART, YOUR BRAIN. ]

Someone who left the Family.

From:

The family? Your family?

[do they have the mafia in baldur's gate i just dont know]

From:

No, it's a criminal organisation. One of the biggest ones in the Vatican. Lots of connection to the Church.

From:

Oh.

[so, she does have context for organized crime syndicates, and what they'll do to you if you don't obey.]

I didn't realize, though it makes some sense. You're so strong. [the scariest part is she's not, for once, saying that like she's objectifying him.] Then these activities were - maybe not officially sanctioned, by approved by the church?

From:

[ Help not the objectification based conversation sobriety checker. ]

I do not want to say officially sanctioned. More it is like, many members have connections.

[ Nepotism is real and can hurt you... and bribery is such an easy path for some. ]

It does make trying to escape a near impossibility.

From:

And even if church members are connected, it does not mean the God you follow accepts it, does it?

From:

I don't think they care much about tenets and following gods anyway. Or anyone else but themselves.

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But you care what your god believes. And you've committed a sin before his eyes, haven't you?

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... Yeah.

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Do you think he'll forgive you?

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[ Well, even if he chose to answer, the silence before might be telling that whatever he thinks is not a yes. ]

...I don't know.

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I know how that feels.

[she can't reassure him, but she does know.]

From:

If anyone did, I guess it might be you.

[ Differences aside, she gets the whole religious aspect stuff. ]

From:

[she nods.]

I spent a long time pretending that I was her devoted servant, all while believing fully that I was already lost in her eyes, that I'd been thrown away.

I didn't want to admit it outloud to anyone. It would make it more permanent, and I was still clinging to hopes I could somehow undo what I believed I'd done.

From:

I do not claim to be that important to Alll-mer. I just go to Church. I am no Dark Priest, far from an Apostle.

[ That'd be blasphemous, he's pretty sure, to even try and claim the latter. ]

I don't know if that would make it better or worse.

...But Alll-mer did not make me kill, and I do resent the man who did.

From:

[she blinks to herself, finding herself a little confused the longer this conversation goes on - not remembering even what she was professing to believe, or whether it felt right.

The man who did... how did he make you?

From:

[ This tracks, his views are in shambles too. But it's also probably an effect of him not being good at getting things across very well with words. All he's thinking about is how coercion to do what you don't like or else is not great. ]

He threatened my sister.

From:

Ah.

[coercion is a little different, isn't it? it makes a difference.]

Were you able to save her, then?

From:

[ He. Hesitates. ]

I was working on it. I am working on it.

From:

...What do you still need to do to help her?

From:

...Earn the redemption. Find a way out of Prehevil.

Then do whatever I can to be sure the Family will not be after her any more.

[ Add 'survive' to that list now that they know they're in some kinda fucked up murder tournament. He's got his work REAL cut out for him. ]

From:

I don't know much about your God or your beliefs, but... I've never had a family, I've never had siblings to care for. If I did, and anyone was trying to take that away from me, I'd fight for them with everything I have.

[so whatever the church might say, she doesn't judge him.]

From:

You've never had a family?

[ What's that about. ]

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No. I'm an orphan, supposedly. [not that she really knows.] My order took me in when I was a child.

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[ Girl your org is sus as hell. ]

..."Supposedly". Do you doubt this?

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I don't know if it's doubt, exactly.

[she doesn't have any specific reason to think it's not true.]

But they don't always tell the truth. So maybe part of me liked to think it wasn't. Even if realistically, that would only mean that the family I did have abandoned me or never looked for me.

From:

...I think there is little wrong with that, to wish to know how your family is doing. And if they are not there, to wonder what happened to them.

...

I also do not have parents. I don't remember what happened at all. But I do have my sister, and everything I've done is my best to take care of her.

From:

[she never thought much about what it would be like to have a brother or sister, but when she sees fidelio and basilio, or hears marcoh talk about his, she does feel envious, even if in both cases it seemed to lead them to fear over losing them.]

You don't remember what happened?

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I don't.

[ As far as anyone knows they're just GONE! ]

From:

Well, then, it seems we have that in common after all.

From:

Not exactly everyone's favourite thing to share.

[ Not like, fully amused, nor is it dry, but it's the closest he'll get to a joke ever. ]

From:

[a joke... from sweet marcoh... she smiles.]

I didn't necessarily say it was a nice one.

From:

[ True. ]

...Family is important. But I think, you can also choose what kind of family is important to you. That is all.

From:

[ Another week another SUCKS TO BE HERE. Marcoh is in the Church, but like, in the back and in a corner. Would be easily missable if he wasn't a giant brick of a guy.

It's normal to go to church on a Sunday right? So. Not that he looks like he's really doing much than just sitting there staring hard at the altar up front (I am ASSUMING there is an altar up front). ]

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[its not normal to go to the church on a sunday night but ive somehow been forced to be here... she walks in... ]

I think I left something in here yester - oh, Marcoh.

Edited Date: 2025-03-03 01:45 am (UTC)

From:

[ It really is so funny when you're forced to go somewhere your character otherwise would not go to. Well dang he's been spotted. ]

Shadowheart.

[ He nods back to her. Don't let him stop you from finding items you dropped out of your inventory to make room for evidence checks so you can hover over them and read the descriptions. ]

From:

Are you alright?

[it's been a rough weekend. not any better now than it was the day before.]

I'm not interrupting, am I?

From:

I'm alright. You're not interrupting anything.

It is normal to go to church on a Sunday where I am from. It's just... habit. Even if there isn't much to do in this one.

From:

It's not a church I find very conducive to prayer.

[though if he does, that's fine, she supposes.]

From:

It is not Alll-mer's Church. Praying here would not help him hear me, I think.

I use it to think. It is quiet here, and not many other people wish to be here on Sunday.

From:

I can imagine why.

[after everything that happens in here beforehand. but she appreciates the need to sit and think.]

...I'm sorry if I was acting odd, earlier this week.

From:

... Were you?

[ I'm so sorry but truly he's like you... were...? ]

From:

...Yes? [marcoh.] I was going on and on about Sharran nonsense, how I'd found my true purpose and was planning to convince everyone else to embrace darkness? While making you wander in the woods with me?

From:

I didn't want to judge...

From:

You can be a little more judgmental.

From:

[ Mh. He tilts his head, a gesture to the stained glass. ]

I'll leave that to them. Their job.

[ Gods in general, not the salamander in question. ]

From:

[welcome to the memory zone... i'm throwing us right into it. she opens a door and they appear in the funhouse.

(you can watch this video for visuals / atmosphere if you like).

The memory is unfocused, hazy around the edges, something that happened long ago and is half forgotten, as though some of the glass on the funhouse mirrors is fogged or hazy. Maybe if you explore down a particular path, more will come to light, but for now, you follow.

A little girl wanders the forest, lost and fearful. It’s a cool night, not cold, but enough to shiver from the wind. It is pitch black except for the full, bright moon overhead, but the trees here loom impossibly tall overhead, nearly blocking out the light. She’s obviously worried, but not afraid. She keeps looking up at the sky, checking the position of the moon, taking a certain direction. She chews her lip and looks uncertain with herself, and she’s cut and bloodied her face from a branch, but she keeps wandering.

There’s no way to tell why this child is lost here, whether she’s been abandoned or left here on purpose or if there’s some other reason. There are a few branching side paths that maybe reflect thoughts, memories of earlier that night, of the reason, but Shadowheart - the real Shadowheart beside you - doesn’t choose to look that way, as she suddenly freezes in complete terror.

Bounding out from the woods is a large wolf. Impossibly large, really, imagined here the way it looked to the child it was looming over, much bigger and fiercer than her. The child is frozen as well. The wolf’s golden eyes are trained on her, fierce and dangerous, its teeth bared. As it pads slowly towards her, its ears press back and its tail swishes back and forth. Not even the posture of an animal hunting prey, but an animal itching for a fight, making itself an obvious threat.

Tears are rolling down the girl’s cheeks and she stumbles backwards, trembling. But then she realizes, behind her, is a woman in a mask, who puts a gentle hand on her shoulder.

And then there’s a path out of this section of mirrors, and a feeling like you must take it, you must leave this memory, because the only other direction to turn is down a dark, dark corridor and everything is telling you that you don’t want to go that way. Whatever memories continue on in that direction, they're hidden, and perhaps they should remain hidden. But Shadowheart is still frozen from fear at the sight of the wolf, so she has not yet left this memory behind.]

From:

[ Marcoh senses he is going to get tired real quick of constantly running into mazes the entire week long. Even more of the strange feeling of not knowing whether he should be treading on these things he's seeing, especially with how the people beside him react.

He remembers that girl from the other day, small and scared. He promised he'd protect her from it, which would usually mean that he would just outright punch a mirror the wolf is reflected in and break it, but apparently that might cause Shadowheart to kind of forget that memory so that's really up to you . . .

Either way, he thinks maybe it's best they don't linger. ]

Shadowheart.

[ A little louder and firmer than how he usually speaks -- your attention. ]

From:

[he can punch the mirror if he wants. if that's what he would do, i would allow it.

shadowheart is frozen a bit. not just the little girl, but the adult. she is completely terrified of wolves, and she needs to make a wisdom saving throw.]

From:

[ IF IT DOESN'T SCREW OVER YOUR MEMS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK, YEAH HE'LL PUNCH A WOLF REFLECTION...

How was your roll girl here's an assist. ]

From:

[this is just the last wolf memory chronologically now.

and anyway, i'm going to say he punches this memory right in a mirror with the wolf. the wolf is gone - more of a nightmare creature than a real animal, too large and snarling and terrifying. she's fought monsters, demons, terrible enemies, ones far bigger than this thing, but even now there's nothing that frightens her more than this particular memory, is still frozen in place when she sees one.

but he shatters that mirror, and the wolf is gone from the memory. instead, there's just a girl in a forest, and a woman in a hood and mask. and while the woman appears to be calming her, the story is a little different without the wolf in it. now it's the story of a lost child who was taken by these people.

on a mirror on the other side there's an older elven man, instead. he has long dark hair and a lined face and worried eyes. there's a human woman by her side, a little younger in appearance though likely not in years, with bright green eyes. it's just a glimpse of them, telling the girl to be safe, to remember her lessons, to return home soon.

and then it's all gone.

shadowheart comes out of her fear response, unsure what she was even frightened of, the wisps of the nightmare she was focused on fading away.]

Marcoh? What happened?

From:

[ He glances at this briefly, but turns attention back to Shadowheart first. ]

There was a wolf in the mirror, chasing a little you. You were not responding.

From:

...Ah. A wolf? Really?

[doesn't sound that scary?]

From:

Yes. Are you alright now?

From:

I'm fine, I think.

[she seems a little confused?]

From:

[ Glances back at the broken mirror and the lack of wolf. ]

Maybe it would be best we get out of here?

[ Well they can walk and talk too. Who Was She? ]

From:

Let's go.

[please. except i want a marcoh memory too.]

From:

[ Me super debating which mem because I did commit to something for my first-choice mem but actually I think I can still wing it so

As they walk they can get hit with this one, and now it's Marcoh's turn to freeze up. ]

From:

[oh. well, she already knows this story. but it's different to watch it, to see the circumstances. to know that his sister wasn't only threatened, but threatened by a man she believes loves her.

she will take his arm, place her hand gently on it.]

Marcoh?

[how is he reacting? frozen?]

From:

[ He definitely looks a way, a little pale and at a loss for words, stuck staring at the beaten down corpse in the middle of the ring. He seems too in shock to be seeing this again to pay attention to the rest of it, to the victory announcement, the scattered whoops, Riccardo's smile. That is, somehow, probably for the better. ]

I -- didn't want to -- ...

From:

I know you didn't.

[holding his arm, trying to lead him away from it a little, but not pulling him too hard if he isn't ready.]

Disgusting man.

From:

[ He follows but he does seem a little bit apprehensive, looking at Shadowheart like he's trying to scry anything about what she thinks behind what he says. ]

I don't know if I made the right decision.

From:

I don't know, either.

[she definitely does not judge him, though.]

If you'd stuck to your morals, and your sister had paid a price for it, I can't imagine you'd have fewer regrets than you do now. Sometimes there's only making the best out of a series of bad options.

From:

[ He was absently commenting on something else, which is my fault because I got my streams crossed a little bit, but it's fine it works. ]

I should've intervened sooner. I knew nothing good would come out of dating a mobster. But she... she seemed happy. When he was nice. That's all I ever wanted for her.

From:

Do you think she would have listened, if you'd told her not to?

From:

...If I really insisted? Then probably.

But I would have been stopping her from going after someone she thought was nice, someone she really liked.

...I wouldn't want to do that.

From:

I do think a firm brotherly hand about dating violent men is not an unkindness.

[but a small smile.]

Though that's why I wonder, if she would have listened - I don't know many women who do run their romantic choices by their protective brothers. [it's sort of the cliche.]

Can you get her away from him now?

From:

He didn't seem that way at first...

[ Though granted. Marcoh just inherently disagreed because it was mobster/gang territory and he'd already had enough of those fools.

He hesitates kind of long here when she asks, and -- ]

I killed him too. It is why I had to escape Vatican City.

From:

Well. Maybe this isn't very heaven and redemption of me, but good, Marcoh.

[she's relieved, actually. it's not nice that he had to, but this man is not a problem for him anymore, and that's good.]

Someone like that... he'd only keep trying to control you.

From:

I know.

...I don't feel bad about killing Riccardo. I don't think I could.

[ No, one reminder of his fakely bright smile as he brought up his sister's name is enough for him to throw out any willingness for regret. Perhaps not very redemption-minded of him either, but that's what bothers him more than the killing of this man in particular itself. ]

But that is also problems. He was the heir to the Accardo branch. If I was the only one in danger, I would not mind, but they are not above using family -- blood family. [ Awfully ironic to be called the Family, and a tad annoying to talk about. ] I have to make sure Venere will be safe. Then... anything else, doesn't really matter.

From:

Could you just take her and get out of there? Travel to some out of the way place where they can't find you?

[he said he left the city, so maybe that's possible.]

From:

... She was in Valland. She asked to meet in the Kingdom of Rondon. Uh, that's in Western Europa, Vatican City is more, central but south. The Church has less hold there, so she thought it was a good place to lay low, for both of us for a bit.

I had to take the first train out, and I was on my way to meeting her there. Then...

[ Well. He's here. ]

From:

I see.

[well, that's good, though.]

If you get out of here, you can go to her. You can find her.

From:

I will.

[ Well he has to get out of that helltown Prehevil first but the good news is, Marcoh is not doompilled about it. Unfortunately, he should be more doompilled about it. ]

From:

[nooooooo ill go back with him and just do radiant damage on all of them >:( ]

What happened to you, to come here? Did they catch up with you?

From:

The train I took, it took me east to a city called Prehevil. The train broke down there.

Strange things were happening in the city, but I got caught up in a fight with a Bremen soldier. I knew he would be trouble...

[ Truly he thinks he should have taken care of him when he had the chance, Pav is a menace. He's getting a faceful of fist, but better this time, if he goes back. ]

From:

[did he just die before all the truly fucked up things started happening... oh no...]

So, a fixable problem, it seems.

From:

[ He saw some fucked up things, but it's like. When you think the threat is still external instead of something way worse, kind of deal, yeah. ]

I think so. I will not make the same mistake twice.

From:

I would not underestimate old fashioned walking.

[you moderns and trains...]

From:

I will if I have to.

[ He will. Walk from Prague to London/Paris. Unfortunately I do think this is not above him. ]

The city had a strange fog that looped us back. Not unlike that first place we arrived to here. But it can't be endless.

From:

Well. It could be. It sounds magical in nature. Perhaps you'd have to dispel it to continue on.

[that does sound dangerous.]

From:

I'm told it is. Where fog is strong, it is also where the border between realms is thin.

Explains why Vatican is foggy a lot too I guess.

From:

[ Hey he is checking in if he can!!! Shadowheart!!! ]

From:

[hopital

she's laid up in here. she's been bandaged. there's an ugly bruise blooming on her face as well as some scrapes and she is not very mobile, but here she is. the emotional state is pretty bad, though. just confusion and distress and a sense of a self-protective guardedness that is firmly back in place, where it had been lifted away easily earlier this week.]

Hello, Marcoh. Come to check on me? How sweet.

From:

[ Something something, math joke... ]

I wanted to see that you were looked after.

[ He keeps a polite distance, feeling this. He gives off a pretty gentle sort of worry. ]

From:

I'm lucky enough to have Jiaoqiu see to me.

[his worry is appreciated, at least.]

It will take a little longer to heal, but I'll have to make do. At least the dance was before I was laid up.

From:

Is this a joke? I am glad if you are feeling alright enough to make a quip.

[ He does mean that. Her fun dances!!! One of which got interrupted by llama. Speaking of which where did she punch him I just think it'd be funny to have to explain a llama bruise later. ]

What about mentally? Disorienting has been a common theme.

From:

[probably in the nose... but it can be the jaw, too. anywhere you think a bruise would look sexiest on him, that's exactly where.

and she doesn't really need to be feeling alright to make a quip.]

A poor one. [hmm.] I'm not confused about where I am, haven't forgotten this place or all of you. But disoriented is correct.

From:

[ Thank you Shadowheart for the assigned sexy bruise. ]

The bar is low, but that's slightly better than the rest. Not hearing any noises, seeing strange things?

[ Holding out a bottle of water and some snack of her choice. ]

From:

No, I'm.

[grimacing a bit.]

I'm trying to ignore them. [she will take the water, though she is not feeling so hungry.]

From:

How bad is it?

[ That's okay he'll leave the snacks, she can leave or just save for later. ]

From:

...Will you do me a favor, Marcoh?

From:

What is it?

From:

If you saw a very menacing clown suddenly appear in this room, what solution would you have in mind for that situation?

From:

Punch it.

[ This is actually something that frequently happens in his canon. ]

From:

[okay perfect she really just wanted to hear marcoh say he would punch the clown. it does, oddly, make her feel a little better]

I see. Thank you, Marcoh.

From:

[ I have so many questions but I'm also so glad. ]

No problem. You're not seeing a clown right now are you?

From:

I am. But it is not very punchable, currently. I just thought I'd like hearing you say it, and I did.

From:

[ What are you haunted by clowns for. ]

Do you want me to stay a while in case it does?

From:

[hmmm who knows there's no player from a clown themed horror novel in this game who could have been running one so hard to say.]

I'd like that, yes. But please also go punch clowns for Anders and Fidelio. They can use the service too, I'm sure.

From:

[ Oh I'm so proud of Kabby baby's first CYOA??? I really was just like I'd believe a clown showed up regardless of who ran it. ]

Easily done.

[ He cares about them too. ]

From:

[it was really fun.]

Thank you. You have lifted my spirits, really.

[it's just nice to think a strong and handsome man will stand around and punch clowns for you. there's still good in the world after all.]

From:

[ Jealous . . . shifts my entire life to operate on EST one of these days I wanna go on a Siz CYOA too. ]

Good. That's all I want.

[ Honestly. Times are rough and he acknowledges he's not usually that good at being actively helpful in terms of trying to comfort people, so if it works, he's sincerely glad. There's still an ebb of worry but he does seem to believe her, unlike most people who just say I'M FINE and you're like (x) about it. ]

From:

[ Hey Shadowheart... how are you. Voids us. Marcoh's vibe is muted but he's just standing somewhere backreading the Chipper because he was told he should. ]

From:

Hello, Marcoh.

[her feelings are muted, too.]

Enjoying the gossip?

From:

Uh, not so much the gossip. Just trying to keep up with the news.

[ There's a lot of confusion here as he tries to scroll and catch up with everything on the Chipper... there's so many texts... ]

So is Harold a... good person, or?

From:

Honestly, I don't know. He could be fine, but the letters we've received from the lost souls never mention him.

From:

Why does he talk to you so rudely?

[ Be nice to Shart. ]

From:

My theory is that he's only interested in men. But I also might be misinterpreting.

From:

...

[ He sees. ]

That's no excuse to talk like that to women.

From:

[marcoh...]

Well, certainly not. Though I can take what I dish out, I don't mind being teased now and again if that's all it is. I only meant this is his real personality whereas in his letters to the others, maybe he's trying to flatter.

From:

It feels hard to read. I got a letter from him today but I have no idea what he's talking about.

[ He's just going to show Shadowheart.

Hello,

It's a lot to ask when you tend to so many, but I hope you keep him on the right path. What influences us for good can also be the source of evil.

Weirdo. ]

From:

[....hmm.]

Do you... know what he's talking about? Though you don't have to tell me if you don't want to.

[is harold being a yaoi hound again.]

From:

No idea. I'm going to send a letter back asking what this means.

[ And then he just watches Claude get slaughtered on main I guess. ]

From:

[they're actually standing around next to the gazebo while this conversation happens so they're interrupted as uruha saber and claude just run in and claude is murdered.]

From:

[ Rest in peace sweet Claude. If this thread is to be continued it can only be done strictly backdated on that toplevel. ]

From:

[after movie night, she can be found still hanging around the tavern.]

Marcoh? You were late, weren't you? Big plans?

From:

I was busy, yeah. And I'm going to be busy afterwards too.

[ He's probably helping clean up. He's a good boy. Also why were there so many tears shed today over movies... we don't even cry that much over corpses. ]

From:

Busy with what, exactly?

[nosy. anyway, don't pretend it's weird to sob at a tearjerker movie more than you cry at a real murder. real life things make me cry so rarely but sad movies can really get me going.]

Personally, I would say my schedule is very open, aside from some extremely long blocks on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday dedicated to misery.

From:

[ HELP I GUESS I JUST DON'T CRY OFTEN AT MOVIES. ]

Siffrin asked to go camping later.

[ But also he can't deny this other thing Shart said, and he looks grim by default just thinking about it. Maybe a bit longer than usual even. Last week was tough. ]

From:

Well, that’s fun. Any particular reason?

From:

I don't think so. Just for fun, I think. I remember they said they like going camping.

[ Understand I'm gonna be so mad if this is a death flag. ]

From:

[ New week? No problem... Marcoh is only around some time in either the late morning or past noon. He's usually on a jog in the Neighbourhood first thing in the morning with Lucas and Saber but we all know how that shit went!

So.

At least he has the willpower to eat, because he's having a sandwich. He does somewhat nod to Shadowheart when she comes by... ]

From:

[nodding at marcoh back, coming over to him.]

...Marcoh. How are you?

[this was a bad weekend, obviously. and her thoughts are reflecting that, vague concern.]

From:

I've been better.

[ Honestly enough. His thoughts are kind of a dull static but there is one floating thought that makes it past. She's still here. That's good... ]

From:

[It's good that you're here, too.]

...I don't really know what to say to help. It's all awful, isn't it? There are cats, if you would like to see them.

From:

Don't worry. I will find a way, one way or another.

[ He's going to force himself to be fine with his two bare hands if he's gotta. ]

An awful lot of animals lately, aren't there...?

From:

[that's the way to do it.]

It feels like we deserve cute animals after everything, doesn't it?

From:

...

[ I don't know if that actually solves anything, but... ]

Sure, hard to say no to some cute and innocent critters.

From:

Of course it doesn't solve anything, Marcoh.

[rudely answering his thought out loud.]

Come, then.

[dragging his ass to go pet some cats.]

From:

...I didn't mean it like that.

[ Not that it's easy to really mean much when you're just thinking idle stray thoughts, and sometimes they just get broadcasted out. He gets dragged out to the cafe... ]

You like animals too, right?

[ How is the Owlbear who is most definitely around? ]

From:

[listen the owlbear appeared in every started i made last week. but he is probably playing with the corgis right now.]

It's a little embarrassing to admit, but I'm very fond of them.

From:

[ Don't eat them Owlbear. ]

Everybody likes a person that likes animals.

[ The one thing apparently everyone here can agree on... animals good. ]

From:

[the owlbear loves dogs his best friend is scratch ;; he would not hurt them]

Lady Shar does not, but that's alright. I don't care much what she thinks.

From:

[ Oh I'm so happy for them... sweet Scratch. ]

It sounds like you've changed your mind a lot.

From:

Yes. I don't really like the person I would be if I kept following her. I want to be able to pet a cat and not feel as though I'm a failure for it.

From:

...

I didn't really want to speak out against your faith, but I think this is a good development for you.

[ When she talked about having to smite people she didn't want to... ]

From:

Oh?

[slightly amused. You can speak out against people's faith sometimes, you know.]

No, I think - even when I first came here, I had stopped believing in any of it. I just didn't want to say so outloud just yet.

From:

Just don't want to be rude about what people believe.

Was dyeing your hair a part of it too?

[ Lady of Darkness? ]

From:

[It's a little embarrassing to admit, but...]

Yes. I wanted to do something to cement my decision to break from Shar. There was a Selûnite cleric who wore her hair like this, and I thought... if I no longer look like a Sharran, then I can no longer pretend to be one.

From:

It suits you.

From:

Thank you, Marcoh. I would like to become suited to it.

[not that the old color was bad. but the bangs were.]

From:

[ Why are all the locations bad now. After deda return Marcoh is quietly somewhere in the Neighbourhood. He's trying to mind his own business, somewhat, keeping a polite sort of distance from folks. If they want to approach him, that's fine, but he doesn't seem to be actively hunting down anyone much.

Getting some water maybe... it's been a rough several days. ]

From:

[yeah the neighborhood is the only place that isn't shit.]

...Marcoh. [nodding at him. it's a bit awkward.] Everyone is back. A relief to see them, yes?

From:

[ He nods back after a moment of hesitation, not totally sure how he should really approach anyone else. ]

It is.

From:

How are you feeling about it?

[just trying to judge the mood. not that she thinks them being back is going to fix everything that happened but probably it helped a little.]

From:

Obviously it is good. Whatever they were trying over there, they made it work.

[ And there is relief. Always room for something to go wrong last second. Their local mg villain clearly isn't happy about how everything's been shaking out, and they've apparently got some tricks left up their sleeve still... like banishing the cats elsewhere. But there's still a blurred conflict of course. Lingering nastiness that he is trying to politely brush under the rug, but it's also not like he can just forget about it. ]

You?

From:

Despite my certainty that this fight is not over yet, it is hard not to feel my spirits lift with everyone else back here.

[she agrees the entity isn't done and there's still a lot of danger, but... it's just really wonderful to see everyone again.]

From:

Hard to deny that.

[ Some mixed feelings aside, he obviously also thinks this is a plus overall. It's one thing to be told something good will happen, and another to actually see it happen. Letters aside, he did see each and every one of those as a corpse one way or another after all. ]

Who were you eager to meet the most? Elysia?

From:

Elysia, Yves, Charlie, Claude...

[those are her faves who died. all were pretty painful, in their own way.]

From:

[ He nods in answer to that. He does share this list pretty well, except Claude, but he didn't dislike the guy. It's just that the other three hurt a lot more, especially in part because they were just victims. 'Yves also killed a girl' listen it was different. ]

They told us as much through letters, but it's a lot more reinforcing to actually see them being alright.

From:

[she has no particular moral justification for liking or disliking anyone, these are just her favorites.]

And for there to be no last minute chance for that part of things to go wrong.

From:

[ No that's fair and a mood. ]

It's one hurdle leapt over.

[ And hopefully kept, like there isn't just one last sudden possession snappage and massacre for the road. The Entity's clearly pissed and screwing with all their locations and that's kind of wild. ]

From:

I know I still find it hard to believe we will get out of this unscathed.

[a little pessimism, at least.]

We have to contend with the entity, and we have whatever judgment will entail.

From:

Do you have concerns about your Judgment Day?

[ There IS a small ebb of anxiety when he thinks about it, but considering he's an honest to god church goer who actually believes in that kind of stuff. ]

From:

I do, but primarily because... the idea of arguing for what I deserve is something that sits uncomfortably with me.

From:

I think there is little other picture perfect example of a redemption, at the very least, the definite beginning of one than yours.

From:

[this is sweet, but she feels a bit uneasy.]

I wanted to shake off my history with Lady Shar. I don't want to attribute anything to some other god. I did not try to redeem myself.

From:

You are shaking her off. Her stuff didn't sound good for you.

They told me it was something about change. [ Glances at her hair. ] You'll go back to live your life differently. Definitely feels like it to me.

From:

[she laughs and self-consciously touches her hair.]

We'll see. I want to trust in it, but I also don't want to hastily pledge myself to some other god's code of conduct. [except apparently god is gabriel and they've talked about this in detail so it's probably fine.]

What of you? You told me some of what you believed before. [his feelings about murder...] Has that changed?

From:

Like am I still a believer in Alll-mer? It is hard to just... not.

[ It's not like he's a SUPER devout, it's just... you know, he's his world's equivalent of an actual typical Catholic. It's hard to just kind of shake it off. ]

From:

No, I mean...

[frowning at how to put it.]

When we talked before, it seemed that you felt that the things you had done were particularly sinful. And I didn't necessarily see it that way. I have killed people before because I had to in order to survive and protect those dear to me, and even if I return home, that won't change.

[it was to keep his sister alive, so she would not have judged what he decided to do. but then seeing how he was overcome with rage, wanting to avenge uruha, it made her if not question that, at least understand why he thought that path wasn't right for him.]

From:

[ It's... well, it's a lot for even him to dissect. He's always known he's more prone to anger than he'd typically admit, but that sort of gut-deep rage -- it's only been wrenched out of him twice. It's hard to try to justify himself in front of anyone like that, outside of the simplest nature of it: he snapped because he felt cornered past a breaking point, relating to somebody he loves but failed to protect.

At the time, he didn't feel bad for it. Refused to, even, because how could you, how dare you? But without the rage to turn it outwards into an all-consuming flame, all he has is an uncertain guilt. ]

Killing someone who doesn't deserve it is. And, even now, I still don't believe in hurting others.

But I know that might be hard to believe with how I acted.

[ It's hard for him to believe he's a good person when he has that kind of capacity to do harm. ]

From:

I believe you.

[it's not hard for her to believe that at all, that's consistent with the marcoh she knows. there was just this other marcoh who was not only dead set on killing but so dead set on it that he seemed ready to turn on any of them violently for trying to interfere.]

Our guiding beliefs and principals aren't the same as what we do when backed into a corner. Nor should they, or else we would have nothing to aspire to.

Still, as much as I understand what you had to do for your sister, I think... the Marcoh I came to know is a gentle person, even if there have been times when it has not been possible to be one.

From:

[ Desire, capacity, and ability aren't always linear. But it's at least a little settling to hear Shadowheart say as much. He can't leap on it for validation but it's a kinder gesture than holding it against him. In the end, he really does think this heaven turned out to be full of kindness. ]

I don't know if that necessarily means I've changed. [ For the sake of redemption and stuff. He still feels mostly the same, very generally speaking... kind of worse if he were honest but that's experiencing trauma for you. ] But if it gets asked, I'll still do what it takes to get it.

From:

As far as I understand, the entire purpose of this project was to allow us to see who we could become removed from the circumstances we were trapped in. I know I've done a great many terrible things, but it did not take much time around people other than Sharrans for that to start to change.

The only problem is that the experiences we had here didn't take us away from those circumstances.

From:

[ He nods... there is mild floating dread here. He did go off the rails spectacularly. Maybe the lesson is if he can bounce back from that surrounded by an actual support system but he's not going to just write excuses for himself. He'll see what comes Judgment Day, try not to be nervous and all. ]

... Thanks for talking to me, Shadowheart.

From:

[our beach is back! our beautiful beach. she has showered and changed out of whatever hideous outfit i forced her to be in and is instead wearing something simple and comfortable and sitting out on the beach.]

From:

[ Their beach ... Marcoh is also back to basics instead of being partially Orville Peck. ]

Having a last bit of gazing before you tire in for the night?

From:

Mm. I did spend a lot of time out here. I want to remember it.

[there's a lot about all of this she will feel nostalgic for, even if it was basically hell, too.]

From:

I've also got a lot of memories here.

[ Both sweet and bittersweet. There's little imaginationshare projections, of sitting with Siffrin to look at stars; of Uruha dragging him off to play some shamisen at the soundstage; the first week they learned that murders happen, when he spent the entire day combing the beach up and down for Charlie's body.

It all feels like both yesterday and a long time ago. ]

From:

[that little montage makes her feel so much. shifting over to press her head against him.]

I don't know if it's forever, but I'll miss you.

From:

[ He accepts this, tentatively leaning a bit of weight back. ]

...I will miss you as well, Shadowheart.

If they are real about the phones still working, then I would welcome a message now and then.

From:

As would I. At least tell me when you and your sister have made it safely.

From:

...It'll be a few days.

[ And he has. So much nonsense to have to get through first, but. ]

But I will.

From:

Ah. For me, too. A few battles to fight, first. Hopefully not much longer from that.

From:

You'll be alright for them?

From:

I think so. You never really know, but... I've lasted long enough that the next fight never frightens me much. At least it means knowing what is next.

From:

I've always respected your stance on things.

From:

My stance on fights?

[a bit amused.]

I sort of wander in there and start hitting people indiscriminately with a morningstar.

From:

Not just the literal physical stance. Mental ones, against conflict too.

[ But yk respect to just going in and start swinging too ngl. ]

From:

I know, I know. I only mean...

[well, what does she mean. he paid her a compliment and she got flustered and made fun.]

From:

[ He's a dorkwad that takes things too seriously. ]

... What is next for you, Shadowheart?

[ Now that she's a full convert and all. ]

From:

Well... I'm realizing how little this comes up casually in conversation, but I'm infected by a mindflayer parasite.

From:

[ Lowkey that's more normal than all three BG3's just blasting everyone with their mind parasite story in a curfew. Even when people are like STOP WE GET IT ALREADY. ]

A what?

[ That sounds bad? ]

From:

[she did this on the mingle earlier this week but it was like 10 gagtags in to viktor so like two people noticed.]

It's fine.

[is it...]

The parasites typically take over your brain and turn you into a monster or a thrall within a matter of days, but that hasn't happened yet and it won't. But I do sort of have to go back if I expect to be protected from it.

From:

Are you sure it's fine?

From:

I am about as sure it is fine as I am sure Lady Shar will not strike me down the moment I reenter her domain. Which is to say, not entirely sure, but if it isn't fine, there's little I can do about it.

From:

...Maybe if there is spare stuff around, you should take it with you.

[ Bald Lady Shar. ]

From:

[help somehow she reads his metatext and laughs. she's already bald i think though she just wears a headdress.]

I will use the Challenge Letter. She and Selûne shall be forced to compete for who can leave me to live my life in peace better.

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