Marc Spector | Moon Knight (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
lunarlegionnaire) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
genessia2018-02-08 09:09 pm
lunarlegionnaire) wrote in genessia2018-02-08 09:09 pm
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[8:30 PM. Stone Ridge Room 104's kitchen. It's early for V-Day but love's certainly in the air. Or rather, on the air. There's music playing from a room away as Marc grills some kebabs for dinner. He opens his window, waving smoke into the moonlit sky before turning to his communicator.]
Little advice if you're making that big confession on the 14th. Don't take 'no' too hard. The idea that they're the one for you isn't always mutual. Mope if you have to, but respect it and move on. [He shrugs.] Or try again; you never know. As long as you keep moving.
And if they say 'yes,' remember that the fairy tale's not over. It's actually just getting started. So see it through with all you've got. Sooner or later, you'll both know if you chose right.
[There's a second or two of dead air, suggesting a guy who either doesn't do this much or hasn't done it in a long time. Maybe both. Finally, the grizzled ex-mercenary clears his throat.]
...oh yeah, name's Marc. I teach capoeira at Sand Gym here in Gen. Not the most outspoken guy in any of the five cities, but I've been here around two years and seen quite a few faces come and go. I'm thinking not all of them have to stay strangers.
[That's the closest he'll get to "Nice to meet you. See you around." He looks back at his indoor grill and smiles right when an offscreen alarm goes off. Dinner's ready.]
Anyway, hope you're all having a good night. I know I will.
[Feed ends.]
Little advice if you're making that big confession on the 14th. Don't take 'no' too hard. The idea that they're the one for you isn't always mutual. Mope if you have to, but respect it and move on. [He shrugs.] Or try again; you never know. As long as you keep moving.
And if they say 'yes,' remember that the fairy tale's not over. It's actually just getting started. So see it through with all you've got. Sooner or later, you'll both know if you chose right.
[There's a second or two of dead air, suggesting a guy who either doesn't do this much or hasn't done it in a long time. Maybe both. Finally, the grizzled ex-mercenary clears his throat.]
...oh yeah, name's Marc. I teach capoeira at Sand Gym here in Gen. Not the most outspoken guy in any of the five cities, but I've been here around two years and seen quite a few faces come and go. I'm thinking not all of them have to stay strangers.
[That's the closest he'll get to "Nice to meet you. See you around." He looks back at his indoor grill and smiles right when an offscreen alarm goes off. Dinner's ready.]
Anyway, hope you're all having a good night. I know I will.
[Feed ends.]
no subject
[Soma gives the offered hand a firm, but not challenging, grip - he could quite easily attempt to break the larger man's hand, and quite probably get his own arm broken for his trouble. He knows a bigger fish when he sees one, give the boy some credit.]
I thought it might be best if I tell you up front what - and who - I am. I know not everyone here is from a world that knows the name... but have you ever heard any version of the story of Dracula?
no subject
Sure. My world's got about three.
[He motions to a corner bench across from a vending machine, out of earshot from potential eavesdroppers. Taking a seat, he lays his hands on his lap and regards the boy sideways with the air of someone taking him completely, utterly seriously... and speaking likewise.]
Back there, he's either a historical warlord or a fictional vampire count. Few know he's actually both; the warlord became a creature of the night, and the Stoker novel was based on real events that involved him. He's still abroad to this day, held back only by those superpowered beings I mentioned to you.
[His brows furrow. That had come much easier than he thought it would.]
I'm pretty sure we're not from the same world. But if the mere existence of Everglade's Dracula means anything, it's likely that he's some kind of... constant, across some realities.
[And right there, Soma may find his invitation to tell the older man what the legend--- no, concept--- of Dracula has to do with him.]
no subject
In my world, he was born Mathias Cronqvist. He served as a tactician in the Crusades, but came home to find his fiance dead of illness. The shock drove him to illness in turn - or so everyone thought. In reality he had delved into alchemy, seeking eternal life at any cost. He found it in the form of a philosopher's stone, which bore the curse of vampirism. From there, he went on to attempt to recruit his best friend to his cause - a war against God Himself. Leon proved to have stronger morals, though - he swore that he and his lineage would hunt Mathias for eternity, for turning Leon's fiance and forcing him to kill her.
[He takes a bottle of something out of his pocket - grape juice - and offers a second to Marc. They're both ice cold. Don't ask how.]
From there, Mathias went on something of a rampage. His form of immortality lets him possess the body and soul of anyone who bears the potential to harness his powers; one such individual was Dracula Vlad Tepes III. He's born that name ever since, and the crown that came with it, as lord of Wallachia. The Belmont clan continues to hunt him to this day.
[He takes a swig of juice, and looks into the near distance - not really looking at anything, just... staring.]
I was to be his latest vessel, but the Belmonts managed to shatter his soul in their last battle - I had enough time to master the mantle for myself, rather than letting it overwhelm me. I'm... something between human and vampire. And I have full control over all the legions Dracula commanded, in the form of abilities their souls grant directly to me.
[No, he isn't going to mention that the Dracula in Everglade is the one he's talking about. Why? He's not sure. It's just... a little too personal, right now.]
no subject
[The bottle doesn't even reach Marc's lips. He sets it down slowly, turning to regard Soma in full. Has some of his initial wariness intensified? Maybe. But if there's renewed wariness in his eyes, there is undoubtedly understanding too. Perhaps more than a simple gym teacher should show.]
'Hell of a story' is clearly hell of an understatement. I don't have a whole lot of reason to doubt you. Everything you told me over the network makes complete sense in your story's context, especially concerning your abilities. [The part about wanting to rely on them less, to be exact.] And now you're here because you think learning from me can help keep you grounded. Keep you from succumbing to your true nature.
[He finally takes a sip of his own juice.]
I've a pretty good idea of what happens if you lose. So let me ask: what are you willing to do to keep that from happening?
[Maybe Soma will feel that Marc's no longer thinking of just the safety of his capoeira class.]
no subject
[He stares at his juice bottle for a moment, then looks up to meet Marc's eyes.]
Julius Belmont promised me that he would destroy me, if I ever fell to evil. That promise... gave me a great deal of peace of mind, truth be told. It gave me the strength to face the trials ahead, and vanquish the heart of Chaos itself. But Julius is not here, and I feel the darkness gathering again. I need someone I can trust - someone who can take me down, if I become a threat. I thought I had found someone, but... she's too young to bear that burden, especially alongside those she already carries.
no subject
Something tells me you don't want the city Guardians involved either. No matter how powerful or capable they are.
[His arms fold and now his gaze is grim, if not entirely focused on Soma.]
What would it take to stop you if the worst happened? It's more than just knowing a vampire's weaknesses, isn't it?
no subject
[Ironic, isn't it? The most powerful individuals in Genessia can't be trusted with a secret.]
Holy relics might slow me down, but they won't stop me. A stake won't do it, nor beheading. Whatever method you use, it needs to be fast, silent, and unexpected. I can stop time and become invulnerable for several seconds at a time; if I see or hear it coming, I can defend against it. The Belmont clan had a whip imbued with the soul of Leon's half-turned fiance that was capable of breaking through my defenses, but no such weapon exists here. A combination of blessed and cursed weapons might do the job, but that's just a theory. Garlic, silver, daylight, none of those will even slow me down.
no subject
Tools to get the job done. Any fool can try them and die not even a minute into his mission. It's not a question of physical ability either. I've seen the finest soldiers fall to forces they couldn't possibly have trained for.
[What's Marc missing? He looks to the side, whence a beam of moonlight is streaming in through a window. And just like that, Khonshu's priest finds his answer.]
If this Dracula was waging a war on God Himself, then I gather his enemies were warriors of Him. Men of unshakable faith and conviction in a divine cause. Am I right?
[What Soma says next will determine how Marc answers him.]
no subject
[It takes Soma a moment or two more to make a decision; he draws a sheathed sword from the interior of his coat, and offers it to Marc.]
This is Valmanway. When drawn, it strikes with the speed of sound, and passes through all obstacles. It isn't enough to kill me, if I fully turn... but it's a start.
no subject
Kid... if this is a 'start', I'd hate to see your final solution.
[Eventually, he accepts Valmanway to admire its exquisite craftsmanship and test its weight with practiced hands. There is a faint hum as he lifts the blade before his eyes and salutes an imaginary foe. Then:]
Once, I killed for money. Damn good at it too. Then one day... someone opened my eyes and I knew I had to make things right. Now I won't kill for anything, except maybe the greater good.
[The sword leaves a physical distortion in the air as he lays it across his lap.]
You're brave to do this, Soma. To put your neck on the proverbial chopping block just to make sure no one gets hurt because of you. Taking you into this gym means being responsible for you in some way. And while this a little extreme as far as responsibilities go, it's one I'm willing to take. I'm no 'Julius Belmont' but... you'll find that I can also let faith power me through. Not unlike the moon on the darkest of nights.
[The kid will know in time. For now, he smiles for maybe the first time since they'd spoken this night.]
Until then, I think I'd much rather be your teacher than your executioner. Wouldn't you say?
no subject
[No. He really isn't bluffing about the antimatter rifle.]
If you count those I'm indirectly responsible for, I've killed three people. Two of them had become monsters; one was their creator. That number could have been four, but I chose instead to seal away Dario's powers and let him run. Mortal authorities are better suited to dealing with an arsonist who has lost his pyrokinetic abilities.
My point is, my hands aren't clean, and I would rather not bloody them further if I can help it. If you can help me learn greater control, then I will gladly consider myself your student.
[He responds with a slight smile of his own.]
I have a responsibility to use my abilities for those who cannot defend themselves. If that fits your definition of bravery, then I guess I am.
no subject
Sure does. And just for that, I think you'd make one helluva superhero back home.
[Grasping Valmanway and turning the blade down, he extends a fist toward the boy. The kind another fist is meant to be knocked against.]
It's a deal. You'll keep a lid on your powers while you're here, and I'll give you the training you need to survive without them. That is, unless you can't put up with this old man anymore in two months.
no subject