ironchef | Victory Road Inbox

I really appreciate it, Hunk. Both you and Allura.

[He listens wide eyed and intently as his friend gives him valuable advice, following along by holding up his own fingers and counting down on them as he repeats him.]

Be careful but not to the point of paranoia-

[That's... something he'll need to work on.]

Be respectful and be genuine, then be romantic if the moment is right.... I... I think I can manage that.

[It's what he's been doing with his interactions with Shy so far.

But there is another thing that pops into his mind that he hadn't thought of before. Marik lowers his fingers and looks up at Hunk.]

... Fluttershy isn't fond of scary and gruesome things. What do I do... when she starts learning more about me and... my past?

Well... What about you and your past? You've only told me a little bit but it didn't sound like you were happy about it.

People can't always help the situations they were born into, you know? In my opinion a truly good person would respect how hard it is to turn away from something difficult and do better.

[He says that pre-emptively. He knows there were plenty of Galra that needed that room to change. Some of them, like Lotor, were not actually changed enough to matter. But some of them truly wanted to be 'free'.]

[Marik's never said a lot. But it's been pretty obvious he's not had a lot of options.]

It's... a lot.

[Marik glances over at Chen for a moment, the Yamask giving him a knowing nod. The blonde takes a deep breath and slowly exhales.]

... I've gone through a lot, I've done a lot of terrible things... willingly. I know I'm not the same person I was half a year ago but... those tendencies still pop up from time to time. I've been trying to better myself though...

I don't want to scare her or make her feel unsafe with me because I'm... not entirely stable. I'd never hurt her! I just... what if I'm too intense about something? Then she's too nice to say anything to me and it just festers until it becomes a wedge between us...?

[There he goes again, over thinking things even on a friendship level.]

Edited 2022-11-14 17:23 (UTC)

[He can see the concern. He remembers how worried Kieth was about them learning about the 'real' him. The same as Pidge. Sure, they didn't have terrible backgrounds, but they'd been purposefully misleading people.]

I mean, you're trying. Nobody's perfect, things aren't ever going to go without a problem. So, I dunno.... like I said, be genuine. If that's a part of you, then let her help you through it, and use that toughness it's given you in your training.

And hey, you have friends here. We'll all help you too. It won't just be on her, as a friend or a girlfriend.

[Then he chuckles awkwardly.]

And she has friends too that'll give her good advice if she needs it. [Whether it's to 'get out' or giving her ideas on how to help. For once it barely registers when they're food is dropped on the table.]

[The way Hunk explains things helps put it into better perspective for him. Essentially just... keep doing what he's been doing. Making friends, enjoying this second chance at life, experiencing new things, surrounding himself with his people. Marik thinks this all over for a minute or so, inner monologing with himself as he always does with complicated matters like this.

It isn't until the food is set in front of them that he snaps out of it.]

Hnn... Yes... You're right. I've met so many wonderful people here and everyone's helped me grow as a person...

[He finally smiles again, looking more at ease with things.]

You included, of course. And I'll keep trying to better myself.

[Chen quietly claps his hands together. His big brother is happy again...!]

Thank you, Hunk. I'm glad I came to you for this. I'm even more glad that we've finally gotten to meet though.

[He looks down at the cheesecake for a second and grabs a forkful.]

How long are you going to be in Goldenrod for?

Well... I should probably admit I didn't get out much after Lance and Pidge left. I needed my friends then, too. [Not just his Voltron teammates, but new friends.] But I kind of just... went quiet. Put all my projects to the side until I could go to Goldenrod for a while.

It probably wouldn't have been as hard if I had went out and had some fun.

[It's not as if they're dead. They're fine, in whatever universe they've landed in.]

So you're doing me a favor too! Coming out and trusting me and hanging out with me! It's not like you're some burden to get to know. Just hanging out is helping me, too.

You have a lot to give. [Friendship is a two way street, though, and Marik is giving.]

[The tomb keeper listens intently as he nibbles on the cheesecake. (Although he does a double take at his initial bite. That's really good!)]

I'm sorry you've been dealing with that. I get why you shut yourself away though.

[If Kaiba were to ever return home, he'd probably do the same thing. That's... a strange thought.

Here Marik was trying to get the conversation off of himself and Hunk's going and feeding his ego. He smiles sheepishly, picking at the remaining crumbs on his plate. (He scarfed that down fast.)]

... No one's ever said that to me. T-that I have a lot to give. But I'm glad I'm able to help you in return.

[Outside of Ishizu when they were younger but he feels that doesn't count.]

You know you're more than welcome to hit me up whenever you feel like it. I'm not going to be very busy this winter anyways. Kaiba, Atem, and I have a place up in Ecruteak we're renting because [he whined about the cold weather a lot] it seemed like the smart thing to do for the time being.

Yeah. At home we'd already gone our seperate ways, but I was with my family. Right now I'm from a different time to Keith, Allura, and Shiro and that's it's own bucket of weird.

[He offers Marik a gentle smile.] You sound like you're used to only being 'good for' helping someone else's agenda.

[That has Marik thinking for a bit.]

Huh... I never asked what point everyone from my world is... I'm only aware that Atem's from further than my time. It's... weird but... not bad.

[Which is why he's able to be more open about his own past now.

Hunk's next comment makes him pause again, his shoulders slumping a little and his expression falling.

Might as well put his cards on the table.]

... That... Yeah. That is... my life's purpose, unfortunately.

It's pretty rough 'cause... well I know some bad things happen. Really bad things. Two of my friends knew about them but they left, so now it's only me, knowing too much, and knowing I can't change it.

[He's glad for what this place gives others, but sometimes he really doesn't like it. Everyone is so convinced that they can't interfere with time, he can't hope for alternate universes.]

What exactly is your lifes purpose? Maybe we can help you get away from it.

I'm sorry you have had to deal with that. I can't begin to imagine how that must feel...

[Marik places his hands on his knees under the table, his posture somewhat rigid. He's talked vaguely about it to Lucius but that's only because the man is from the era where Egypt was still a super power in the world and when traditions and duty were still prevalent. When Kemetism was still being practiced regularly.

He takes a deep breath and slowly exhales, Chen giving him another reassuring nod. You've got this, big brother.]

... How familiar are you with Egyptian culture and practices? And... what's your opinion on magic?

Well, our robots kind of ran on a form of quantifiable magic- Quintessence. And you are free to ask me in the future sometime about the technicalities, because I love the technicalities.

[But that said, he leaves the other topic (as he really doesn't know what to do with the other topic anyway) and pays attention.]

I only know what you learn in school.

I guess that will work in comparison.

[He pauses again.]

I don't know what they teach in school. Mmn... but... My people used to believe that when a person dies, the God Osiris chooses whether you pass on to the Afterlife or are reincarnated. It's considered a great honor to be reborn even if you don't retain your memories of your previous life. Most don't.

The ancient Pharaohs, the rulers of my people, are considered an aspect of Amun-Ra. An off-shot of Ra Himself essentially so they're treated as divine beings.

There was one particular Pharaoh... He saved the world from darkness but at the price of his identity. His name and actions were striken from history. His soul was sealed inside a powerful dark relic, waiting to be awakened someday so he could properly move on to the Afterlife.

[A moment to let Hunk take in the history lesson.]

My family, the Ishtars, are one of the clans whose duty it is to protect and watch over the unnamed Pharaoh and what he left behind. We specifically are his Tomb Keepers. Maintaining the Pharaoh's tomb, keeping the singular clue left behind to help him rediscover who he was when he's finally brought back... That's our legacy.

[Marik shifts, unconsciously reaching in his coat and over his shoulder to grip at his back, the markings feeling like they're throbbing but he knows he's just imagining it.]

The duties fall to the first born son. That... was me. I wasn't allowed to leave the temple, forced into this life of servitude for someone I didn't know or care about, studying the ancient ways, beliefs, and practices of our ancestors, having my body... not be my own.

[The teen ducks his head down, trying to hide his face under his hair again, his voice getting quieter.]

... I never wanted any of it. I just... I just wanted freedom. To enjoy being a child... How can I be told I'm... the most important person in all of this yet... feel like a prisoner? I wasn't given a choice at all...!

[Some of this, the most basic, Hunk did know from school. Osiris, the underworld, even the name Ishtar but in a religious context.]

[His expression falls a little with the admission that Marik just wanted to be normal and not to be a purpose. Not even to have purpose, but to be one.]

You do remind me a lot of Allura... [and, sadly, of Lotor. But since this is their first meeting in person? He's not going to scare off someone's fragile growing social circle by likening him to a prince that went mad.]

Just a whole lot's on her shoulders, big expectations. She's always did her best handling it, but you could tell that it was heavy. I mean, sometimes I really miss home. But I'm always glad to see people like you and here here. Just able to live their version of normal.

[But Hunk? Not being at home? That's heavy on him. So he just keeps focusing on making sure that other people are having the best of here and there.]

[Hunk wouldn't be wrong in his comparison. Marik did go mad. He'd always had darker tendencies deep in his heart but they didn't fully manifest until that fateful day Odion snuck his siblings out to the surface. Thinking their father had killed his older sibling, his other personality finally came out and only made the situation worse.

Thankfully that part of his soul has been locked away in the Shadow Realm never to return but Marik is far from innocent. Despite what his sister says about this being the "good" Marik, he's far from that. The thoughts are still there, just muted. Instead of jumping from 0 to 11, he never gets over an 8 in his emotions intensity and in the rare chance it does, it always fizzles out quickly as it came.

Which is what Hunk gets to see right now. At the mention of Allura his expression immediately softens and he looks up with a bit of hope in his eyes.]

... Although I'm not happy someone else had to go through something similar, it... helps knowing I'm not alone. I've... I've never had that before. I mean, my siblings stuck with me through it all but... it isn't the same. I should try and find an opportunity to speak with Allura...

[He shifts a bit.]

... I'm sorry to have unloaded on you like that. I've never told anyone about my past. I wasn't allowed. Technically I don't think I'm allowed to still but... the unnamed Pharaoh arrived here and he's regained his memories so... in his time, my duty has been fulfilled.

The fact that I now know that but haven't experienced it for myself is... stressful.

[Hunk just smiles at him about it though.]

Hey man, I asked, and you trusted me to hold something big! I guess after seeing what people go through, I started looking at it more like I was being trusted with something big. Just- I don't know, if the baggage metaphor was right, and someone asked me to help with their load, I'd assume they had something valuable inside and be careful with it.

[And sure, someone could take advantage of that, but he has good friends he hopes would call out the shadiness. The same as he did for them.]

Back home, my best friend was totally in love with Allura. Here he was married to my best teck friend, Pidge. Allura and Keith are together here and they were just good friends back home. I think I'm coming around to the idea that we need to treat this space as it's own life separate from that one. We have memories of our past and no affect on our future. Kind of like a pocket of reincarnation- but duty free.

I really appreciate it, Hunk. I've had to live in secrecy my entire life... I never thought... telling someone about it could feel... relieving in a way?

[And that's why Hunk's a good person. Although he doesn't actively do it, Marik still holds on to information like that... just in case.]

That's a good way of looking at it, I think.

[He listens as the other speaks, taking a few moments to think over the situation he's outlined, frowning.]

Hn. I... had originally thought that when I first arrived but... it became more difficult when people started showing up from my world. Before it was just me and Chen, getting a new chance at life. I was able to enjoy myself and sort things out at my own pace. Now it's like... a constant reminder of the things I've done and my unfulfilled duties...

It's really hard when the only thing you can change is how people feel here. But I guess from what you said, you've got a lot of experience in how remembering past lives in a whole new world. Seems like you've seen what bad can come from it. You can figure out what's right about it.

[He wants to keep that support behind him. And he's sure that Fluttershy would help him get away from that life. He's sure she'd give it a try- after all, from what he's seen he'd date someone like Marik and he thinks their emotional standards might be similar.]

I guess it's good we made friends outside of our regular world group, huh? [Even if it's a little hard for him still.]

[Marik looks down at his empty plate for a bit, thinking things over. He knows Hunk's trying to show his support and give him words of wisdom as best he can even if he doesn't know the full situation of the teen's past.

He eventually looks back up, his expression one of apprehension.]

It's one of the things that keeps me going, honestly. I never had friends back in my world. It was just my siblings and me...

[He pauses, deciding against discussing what his darker thoughts are at the moment. The guy's already heard enough for one sitting. He has his own issues to deal with... So Marik decides to voice something else.]

... I don't really know how to deal with people actually... caring about me.

You know, that? Sounds a lot like my buddy Kieth. He's great. Also looks like a rockstar but, you know, the grunge rocker type of rockstar.

[Hey, he's really come around to adoring Kieth over the years.]

Don't worry, dude. You're cool, you're in great company, and there are a lot of people like you here. Honestly, I feel like I'm the odd one out most of the time.

[He just misses his family. All his space trauma is... well, pretty subtle. He vented all his fears while they were happening, and they didn't build up as much. But nearly losing his family? And not having them now? That's incredibly hard on him.]

[Marik stares for a moment before letting out a snicker, his expression softening. Yes, this is a much better topic.]

Like... ah... what was his name... Kurt Cobain? ... What type of rockstar do I fall under?

[The blonde tilts his head slightly.]

Really? Why's that? If you... don't mind me asking.

[Hunk makes a thoughtful noise, like he's actually trying to work out how to phrase it exactly.]

Like the type where you'd take their music and put over a montage of boxing clips. [Like that's a description?] A power ballad guy.

[But as for the other thing....]

Well... I know I mentioned I kinda just came from a space war. But the hardest thing about being in that space war wasn't even the fighting, it was missing my family. And I'd just got back to them. So everyone else is getting relief from their hectic lives.

[Ooh, power ballads. Marik's eyes light up. He'll gladly take being a Dio or a Steve Perry type and nods in agreement.]

I'll take it.

[His smile fades a bit.]

Ah... Yeah... I know I wasn't in a war but... I get what you mean... I haven't seen my sister in almost 4 years. And my treatment of my brother wasn't... great. We'd just all gotten back together as a family and were on our way back to Egypt when I woke up here.

Yeah, it's like that. And man, I'd do anything to sit down to a few normal family dinners.

[But it still feels kind of selfish to dwell. His life's been okay, not so bad. He just misses good people. It's hard for him to associate it with grief.]

What are your sister and bro like?

[Marik stares down at table for a moment before sheepishly admitting:]

... I'd like to experience that too.

[Normal and his family go together like oil and water. What one would consider a traditional normal dinner is something he's never had.]

Ahh- Well, Odion, my brother, is loyal to a fault. He's been with me my entire life even though I... stole his purpose. Which relegated him to a subservient position in our family because he was adopted. He never complained and while he was bitter about it, he always has treated me with respect and devotion... He's...

[He huffs and drums his fingers on the table.]

He deserves so much more from life.

My sister, Ishizu, has always been destined for great things. She's beyond intelligent, cunning, and elegant. I was shocked to find out she'd risen to the rank of Secretary General of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities considering her age...

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