The Marked Ones discussion
Karnaca
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Rooftops
Mordecai was bored. Of course he was bored. There was nothing he could do. He stood on the rooftops and stared passively over the bustling crowds below him. How insignificant their lives were. Why did they strive so hard to do things? He just couldn’t understand it? Every step they took was inevitably a step closer to their demise. In a way, he found it amusing, pursing his pouty lips before yawning into his hand. He had nothing else to do but muse over trivial matters. He could watch the group of men behind him gamble their lives away. He did enjoy gambling. It was fun to work his little powers over mortals. Whisper what he wanted into their ears or into their minds and make them make a mistake... so he would win.
A snicker escaped his lips as he headed to a different rooftop, counting the amount of cash he’d swindled that day. He paused as he passed a shrine. Now there weren’t uncommon... in a way they were illegal, but not all shrines and believers of everything could be squashed. Okay. Maybe this could entertain him. To see what people did to give to the Almighty Outsider or whatever. Lame. He could steal their money if they were dumb enough to leave some though.
He decided on that plan and approached the shrine, his eyes passive and expression that of boredom as he entered. He had no desire to worship anyone. He’d been given powers from the Outsider yes... but... what does that matter really? He rolled his eyes at his own thoughts, glancing around to see who would be the easiest person to either off or swindle to get more money.
Mod
He admired their effort at the very least, their intentions? Not so much. Most people approached with a specific desire in mind. To end someone they envied, to take from those more fortunate, to rain hell upon their enemies. He was never really up to entertaining their antics. But Mordecai was a bit different. Bored yes, but inquisitive too, precocious.
"Three men built this shrine during the course of an entire Fugue Feast week. They sacrificed the few days a year they have to be who they want to be in order to build a shrine in my name. They picked themselves off like crows to a buzzard, the paranoia coming in the night. Betrayal. Their bodies now fertilize the trees in Cyria Gardens. Pity how humans so easily disregard strong connections and bonds they've made at the chance of furthering themselves. Greed, what a funny concept." he stood at the edge of the building, settled against the wall, black eyes like oily oceans fixated on the man who'd visited his place of dwelling.
The small satisfied smirk that had been on Mordecai‘s face disappeared swiftly, his multicolored eyes shooting to him. The Outsider... was here? What did he care about being here? Mordecai glanced around, yawning into his hand as he took in the shrine again before glancing over at the Outsider with a bored gaze,”Don’t lecture me like some preacher.” He muttered, walking beside a wall and scuffing some of the runes just to see what other shapes he could make as he glanced over again, smirking faintly,”What’s a lovely thing like you doing in a place like this?” He purred, his demeanor changing in a heartbeat. If this was really the outsider, whom he hadn’t seen in years... maybe this could turn out useful to him.
Mod
The Abbey told stories, most of them were used to scare children into submission but were taken more seriously than they were supposed to be by adults. Stories of The Outsider creeping into bedrooms late at night, tempting people into sin. Stories of The Outsider bringing about mass destruction, leading the weak into doing horrible acts of violence.
"Your intentions have changed, haven't they Mordecai? Do you realize that? Or are you lost in yourself? What an ambiguous man, too afraid to know what he really wants, too lackadaisical to overcome those fears" he explained, tilting his head.
“My intentions have been fulfilled. Not changed.” Mordecai corrected him swiftly, approaching him with a bit of a swagger to his step. “And with that fulfillment, I now have the time and patience to place some of my... desires into other things. Why? What do you think has changed Oh strong one?” He purred, making a little pouty face to feign curiosity in what he had to say as he stood a few feet away, leaning on a wall. If he could get the outsider talking... maybe he could learn some dirt of the other marked ones. Or really anything juicy going on that wasn’t utterly boring or a waste of his time.
Mod
“Oh. My mistake... your arms are quite frail under all that attitude I suppose.” He smirked, actually winking at him before he stepped forward, placing a hand by the wall beside his head. Mordecai was daring to say the least,”Now how about your answer my question Black Eyed Bastard? What brings you here today?” He purred, leaning in, gazing at his face and raising a blonde eyebrow at him.
Mod
"... They are.. average arms. Not frail nor bulbous like your fragile ego. It seems the years have driven you to desperation dearest Mordecai" he replied, quirking a brow up, not too bothered by the closeness.
Mordecai took in the details of his face and hummed in amusement. This was interesting. He wondered if he was the closest person to have ever been near the outsider. But he was also getting a bit annoyed as he eluded his questions. Usually people threw themselves at his feet for attention. Mordecai yawned in his face, pulling away and stretching,”Me? Desperate? Desperate to get something to eat with my earnings perhaps. But, not driven to desperation - as you so eloquently put it.” He smirked with a roll of his eyes and another wink, a smirk on his face as he returned to the runes on the walls, fingering a few bones in mock curiosity.
Mod
Mordecai paused. Why did he come to the shrine today? He had better things to do right? He sighed softly, rubbing his eyes, seeming to be feeling tired all of a sudden. He’d been ungodly bored as of late... maybe that’s what drew him here. This place was taboo. He liked breaking rules. “Perhaps I wanted... validation or something.” He shrugged, glancing at him as he leaned in the wall, feeling tired just from their conversation,”Maybe i wanted entertainment... I don’t know or really care.” He added quickly, glancing away.
Mod
“But why?” He whined, gloomier than normal all of a sudden as he hunched over and sat down, rubbing his face,”Every one of you are so boring. No one offers good entertainment these days...” he mumbled before pausing. If he wanted entertainment.. why didn’t he just entertain himself by using the Outsider? See if he could draw some sort of emotion out. He suddenly looked at him, eyes bright and beautifully mismatched as he smirked,”Have you ever had sex?” He asked bluntly, hoping to embarrass him.
Mod
"No." he said simply, his presence waning just slightly.
“Man, you couldn’t have made that any more obvious.” Mordecai snickered, getting up again and approaching him. Hm this was curious. Never had the Outsider done something like that? What? Was he some sort of virgin god? He snickered again as he leaned on the wall beside him, eyeing him up and down,”...Perhaps you just can’t get it up?” He asked with a wink, eyeing his lower region bluntly.
Mod
".... This is an odd subject of conversation." he pointed out, eyes flickering over him skeptically.
“Mmmm So that’s it. You can’t get it up. Are you tiny? Maybe that’s it too. What, Outsider got some insecurities?” He demanded, pretending to be shocked before he leaned up agaisnt him, his hands resting agaisnt his chest. Mordecai could be quite up front, eager to get what he desired until he lost interest in it,”mmmm May I see?” He purred, slowly beginning to slide down, smirking at him.
Mod
Mordecai grunted as he fell agaisnt the wall when he had vanished, casting a slight glare over his shoulder as he stood and brushed himself off,”You must have a lot then huh?” He asked, running a hand through his hair and stretching,”...obviously you do. You just ran from a confrontation.” He winked,”So I suppose you’re scared of other people huh? Cause you don’t have anyone? Hmmm... someone lonely?” He teased, glancing over his shoulder at the view boredly.
Mod
“Yeah they obviously don’t exist...” he rolled his eyes and stepped off to the side again, might as well get some information. “So how have things been? The void? Lovely I presume?” He asked,”and the other Marked ones? Anyone you favor more than me?” He batted his eyelashes at him, sticking out his tongue.
Mod
“Do you like me? Do you care for me?” He batted his eyes at him, waving a hand over his shoulder,”I know you favor certain people... others more than I. I’m just sort of the extra hmmm?” He chuckled a little bitterly. Not that he cared. He just hated when he was labeled as not good enough like the others. Sloth. Everyone assumed he would be fat and ugly and lazy... and while he was lazy, he was not the other two in the least. He huffed, lost in his own thoughts as he glared away.
Mod
“...Perhaps.” Mordecai murmured, looking thoughtful as his eyes flickered over the horizon. He didn’t want validation in reality did he? He just wanted some fun. Something interesting. But he didn’t know what. And just the thought of not knowing what he wanted made him tired. He slumped against the wall, closing his eyes and just giving a small shrug at him.
Mod
That made Mordecai pay attention again, his eyes wide as he snapped to look at him. “Why? What is wrong?” He demanded, getting to his feet and once more approaching him, this time a real look of concern on his expression as he eyed him, noticing now the signs of exhaustion, something he was very used to himself.
Mod
"A new era. One with which will find itself at the feet of a different deity, however they so choose to make themselves known. If they are to make themselves known that is. The power will be in their hands, how they decide to utilize it, who they decide to visit, is near completely up to them. Excluding the demanding nature of the void of course" he explained it rather casually, taking a different tone than he had before.
Mordecai looked more and more confused the longer he talked. His mind was currently lagging. He didn’t want to think hard. He glared away and ran a hand through his hair with a huff. He didn’t understand. But he didn’t want to look stupid. Not in front of the Outsider. He grumbled to himself as he fidgeted once more, skin mumbling,”So.. what does that mean... for you? And for me?” He mumbled softly, chewing his lip as he slurred his words a bit, his drawl back in his voice.
Mod
The Outsider was hesitant, tilting his head and thinking it over slowly before he could communicate what he meant. It wasn't an easy topic to talk about, it wasn't like he had much experience with dying. He'd seen people die in every possible way, some ways excruciating, others so blissfully peaceful he almost felt an envious resentment. But he had never died himself.
"... To claim that I have omniscience would be preposterous, a complete falsehood. To be honest, dear Mordecai... I haven't the slightest idea of what will happen to you, or to this world, without a harbinger of the void, without a representative to direct its power. The void houses a representative for thousands of years at a time and occasionally goes dormant for thousands more, unmanned, without a head to its body. I imagine you wont be affected directly. Your tether will remain, my gifts to you not taken where you stand. The mark may dissipate from your skin but you will never cease being a conduit for the void." he explained vaguely, frowning just slightly.
Mordecai nodded and looked faintly relieved for a minute before his face scrunched up a bit and he looked st him once more,”...But you... you’re saying you wouldn’t be around anymore. You’d just... disappear or something?” He asked, looking skeptical. He’d never heard of the Outsider dying... that was just... crazy to even think about. He was so powerful and such a revered person in so many cases. He glanced at him, eyebrows raising expectantly.
((Bro I’m sorry, go ahead and take care of your cat. Take your time.))
Mod
Mordecai looked away again, slowly sinking down the wall, rubbing his face and then gazing at him with half-lid eyes. “....You got another form or something less ominous? I need a strong drink and someone to come with me.” He demanded suddenly, raising an eyebrow at him as if to say ‘and guess who I’ve chosen to be that someone’.
Mod
"....Honey, I don't think you recall... but I am the embodiment of sloth courtesy of yourself. You think I'm going to leave, go get booze, and walk all the way back with it?" he asked with raised eyebrows, seeming amused by just the notion of it.
Mod
Mordecai looked faintly offended by his words. Maybe he was just a lazy good for nothing idiot. Like his family had always told him. He stood with a huff, straightening his jacket and glaring at him before he walked out muttering,”Stay here.”
Mod
Mordecai returned an hour or so later, obviously having gotten sidetracked as he walked in and dropped food and booze on a table, pulling up at chair and digging in silently.
Mod
Mordecai jumped just slightly as he reappeared and glared at him,”Yeah. I guess. I fell asleep at the bar.” He shrugged simply, shoving booze towards him in annoyance. Somehow knowing the Outsider was going to leave bothered him immensely. Maybe he was kinda lonely.
Mod
“Why is what? I was tired. Piss off.” He grumbled as he grabbed the more alcoholic drink of the choices, beginning to drink boredly, still seeming suddenly closed off a bit.
Mod
Mordecai swung his head back and chugged some of the strong alcohol. Sitting up and wiping his chin from the drips he’d missed as he rose an eyebrow at him,”Yeah, what’s it to you? You ain’t got nothing to worry about...” he shrugged,”I’m not powerful. I ain’t wrath.” He shrugged boredly, glancing away.
Mod
“Worried? I have nothing to worry about. I have nothing to lose.” He shrugged, glaring away as he fidgeted in his seat. Yes he was worried. He knew the Outsider was an important figure to society, and he didn’t like the idea of having other powerful beings in charge.
Typically clean, rooftops are where most of the windmills are placed as to catch the natural drift in the air and generate energy. Many workmen sit along rooftops gambling and drinking.