IC Contact (Genessia)

[lunarlegionnaire]

Hi, you've reached Marc Spector. Please leave a message and I'll get back to you ASAP.

Comments

[azaleafae]

[After her visit to Everglade, Azalea really wanted to reach Moon Knight again. However, she doesn't know if he even owns a communication device. But as Moon Knight parted ways, he wished them the blessing of Khonshu. The ankh that Marc had given Azalea for her hatchday was also blessed by Khonshu. It's a tenuous connection at best, but it's the only lead she has right now.]

Marc? Are you there...?

[lunarlegionnaire]

[It's about 8:30 in the morning when Marc answers. He's at his apartment in Stone Ridge, bacon frying in a pan and looking like he just took a shower. The surprise on his face gives way to a warm smile. This is a first as far as personal messages go.]

Hey, Azalea. Sorry, just got back from gym class. What's up?

[azaleafae]

It's all right. I was just wondering...do you know anything about someone who calls himself...Moon Knight?

[lunarlegionnaire]

[There isn't the slightest stutter or hesitation in his movements. Nothing to suggest fear or wariness at an inquiry like that. But he does look more fully into the screen with a somewhat grave expression.]

He's a vigilante. Someone who puts on a mask and goes after bad people.

[Beat.]

Why ask me about him?

[azaleafae]

Well...we met him the other night...some of my clan and I. When we parted ways, he wished us the blessing of Khonshu. I remembered you telling me that this... [She picks up the ankh she wears around her neck.] ...was also blessed by Khonshu. That's why I thought you might know something about him.

Actually...all I really want to know is how to contact him. I don't know if he owns one of these devices. We had made an agreement...but something came up...

[lunarlegionnaire]

Huh. That's him alright.

[His gaze moves somewhere out the window. It's clear he's choosing his words and thoughts carefully. He'd known it would come to this. Counted on it, in fact.]

...I'm gonna come clean with you, Az. But you have to promise me that whatever you hear stays with you. Okay?

[voicemail]

[innocent_royal]

[There is a call on the phone. It was the little voice of Anastasia! And she had a short and simple message]

Mister Spector? It's Anastasia. I made a new friend named Trunks. I want you to meet him at some time.

Re: [voicemail]

[lunarlegionnaire]

Hey, Princess.

[He's on a bench at the Park, looking like he just woke up. He brushes a stray leaf off his shoulder and stifles a yawn.]

Trunks, huh. That's great to hear. What's he like? Any friend of yours is a friend of mine too.

[They certainly have one in common already.]

Re: [voicemail]

[innocent_royal]

He's really kind. He went with me to shop for some bread and tomato soup, like at that restaurant you took me to.

He also stopped someone from stealing my circlet.

Re: [voicemail]

[lunarlegionnaire]

[A wry but warm smile. She just can't stay out of trouble, can she. He taps the top of the screen as if it were her forehead]

I like him already. It sounds like you've found a friend and another knight. See? They're all around you.

[Because no princess should ever be without knights.]

Re: [voicemail]

[innocent_royal]

Indeed~
Which is why I want to introduce him to all my friends.

[She's only contacting her male friends. Because guys hang out with guys, right? Right?!]

Backdated to Father's Day

[innocent_royal]

[There's a package for a Mister Marc Spector at the door. The sender is anonymous but the package is clearly from Nova City.

Inside the box is... Another box. Inside it. Yet another box. It was the last one though. The last box held a heart-shaped plaque engraved with a simple message:

There is a knight in my life, and his name is Daddy.

Judging by the choice of words, it's probably not hard to figure out who sent it.]

Re: Backdated to Father's Day

[lunarlegionnaire]

[It's the first thing Marc sees at his doorstep when he wakes up that noon. The outermost box wins a raised eyebrow, the middle box a surprised murmur, and the last one an outright chuckle. It's not the gift inside, however, that batters down his walls. It's the message attached to it. And realizing just who'd sent it quite literally makes him sit down.]

People who love me suffer and die. I never want to be loved. That's why I always win.

[He'd said that to Black Spectre's would-be successor a lifetime ago. As long as he had no attachments, there would be no challenge he couldn't overcome. Love in any form is a weakness he can't afford. His god and his calling are all he needs.]

[But Marc's not so sure now. No matter how badly the people around you have been hurt, is it so wrong to let them in again? Doesn't everyone deserve some shot at truly being alive?]

[Shouldn't love save and not condemn?]

[That night, Ana will receive a message on her own device. It's a selfie of Marc seated at his kitchen table, framed in the moonlight from an open window. He's smiling at the screen in his quiet, grizzled way and holding that heart-shaped plaque to his chest. His message below reads:]

There is a Princess in this (Rusty) Knight's life. Her name is you.

Your Dad says thanks from the bottom of his heart, and he'll always protect you night or day.

[Video]

[leekspins]

[Orihime isn't one bit shy about contacting a complete stranger out of the blue. So that's what she's doing.]

Good evening, Spector-san! My name is Orihime Inoue. Ted-san said I should speak to you about training. I'm not really too sure what kind of training you offer, but whether it's dancing or physical fitness, I would very much like to sign up!

[She hoists up a plastic bag, and it crinkles noisily as she does so.]

I can pay in baked bread, money, or any combination of the two! Sometimes people prefer to barter services or goods, so I thought I should offer it as an option, ne?

Please let me know whenever it's convenient for you. I think training could be good for me, especially now that I'm a deputy.

Thank you!

[She bows politely, and ends the feed.]

[Video]

[lunarlegionnaire]

Miss Inoue, hello.

[Orihime is definitely a first. She's one of the many he's never spoken to personally, but sees all the time on the network.]

Ted's right. Sand Gym offers physical fitness classes and martial arts training. My boss, Mayu Nozaki, teaches judo and I handle capoeira, though I've looked into offering other styles too. If you'd very much like to sign up for any of them, well, we'd very much like to have you.

[The aging ex-merc smiles. Not with his lips but with his eyes. It's far more genuine.]

If... money's an issue, I'm sure Mayu won't mind. I know I don't. Some of our Native students aren't that well-off, so they either clean up or run a few errands for us. You could do the same if you really want to, no problem.

[Video]

[leekspins]

Oh no, money isn't a problem! I'm happy to pay!

[Nuooooo now she looks cheap! D: She'll just bring the bread as a present, then. Teachers need carbs!]

I'll try capoeira, I've never heard of it before. Is it a martial art?

[Video]

[lunarlegionnaire]

[He's secretly glad. As Sand Gym staff, it's kind of really his job to clean up. Never mind the old cliche of instilling discipline in students through chores and whatnot.]

You bet. It's a very mobile, acrobatic style merging music, dance, and fighting. Developed a couple hundred years ago by African slaves in Brazil, as a way to hide what they were really up to.

[He nods at the urban jungle beyond his window.]

A bit needlessly flashier than other arts out there, I'll tell you that now. But you'll have fun. You'll stay fit and alert. And no matter what, you will learn to hold your own.

[Video]

[leekspins]

Dancing and fighting?!

[SOLD. Her eyes lit right up at the very prospect.]

I have to learn capoeira, that sounds amazing! I don't mind if it's flashy, I already know karate, so I can rely on that for extra defense against attackers I don't want to kill. Thank you very much! When can we start?

Video

[youfool]

[Ted would like to think he's been to the Sand Gym long enough to secure perks and special favors. He'd referred someone there for business, after all. Can't hurt to ask!]

Good evening, Marc! How's the Sand gym for private room rentals?

Video

[lunarlegionnaire]

[From a pretty long line at a local deli.]

Hey, Ted. They're part of pass privileges. If you've got one and a room hasn't been reserved beforehand, you and other members can use it for a max of one hour. What's up?

Re: Video

[youfool]

Ah, that'll be just the thing! Now, is that already included in our arrangement, or...?

[I.e. can get get a discount and how much?]

Video

[lunarlegionnaire]

Hmm. Well as you know, I've got you as an off-the-books guest of sorts, in a class of one. Something like this, though...

[He does have Mayu's business to think about. It takes him only three steps forward in line to find the solution.]

You, uh, sure you don't wanna sign up for real? We're very reasonable with pricing.

[He looks over his shoulder as if expecting to see Mayu, Nora, or even the ghost of Temari staring at him from the deli entrance.]

More importantly, you'd get a discount on your passes thanks to a referral I just got.

Re: Video

[youfool]

Haha, how deviously clandestine we are. I can't tell you how much I appreciate that, by the way.

[Nothing warms his heart like the attention of private lessons. The same organ is chilled at the thought that he might be stiffing his benefactor. Thankfully his high desire for altruism and his earthly one for money can embrace following the informing of the referral. Impossibly, his countenance brightens more.]

When you put it that way, Scrooge would be hard-pressed to refuse. Roughhouse rooms for rent are becoming so necessary for my increasingly violent pastimes, so it's well taken. If it's not too prying, did this referral have long, orange hair?

[Written letter]

[innocent_royal]

"Dear Mister Spector,

By the time you read this, I would likely already be at the dream docks.
In the recent months, I find myself overwhelmed by feelings I cannot explain. Feelings regarding a mutual friend of ours. It's my hope that when I return, I will be older and wiser; enough so that I can understand what these feelings are and how I should channel them.

It is also my hope that when I return, I will be a woman who has taken back everything she has lost.

Regardless of how much I may change as I confront my destiny through the dream docks, I want you to know you are still like a father to me.

~Love, Anastasia"

Re: [Written letter]

[lunarlegionnaire]

[He reads her letter about three times before leaning back thoughtfully, holding his device to his chest. Then after a long glance to the moon outside his window:]

Dear Anastasia,

There are very few people I could call a mutual friend of ours. From the things I've seen, heard, and inferred, I can tell he's very special to you, or else you wouldn't be going on this 'journey' for his sake.

I want you to know that you're brave to do this. Braver than me. I loved someone once and I still do, but I can't see myself visiting the Dream Docks just to know if I still have a future with her back on my world. If this is your way of moving forward, of broadening your horizons despite knowing you might not feel the same way about our friend when you return, then I embrace your journey with all my heart and soul.

That goes for you too. Whatever happens, however long you're away, remember that you are like a daughter to me. And I'll always be here for you whether you need me or not.

Sleep tight, and dream the most beautiful dreams. I'll be watching over you. After all, dreamers are travelers in the night. And I believe in protecting them till their journey's done.

-Love, Marc

[True to his word, a black and silver ghost will be watching the Dream Docks from afar in the days to come. A knight standing guard over his princess.]