Book of Life ruined me

[playsfromtheheart]

Your enthusiasm is - [Admirable? Charming? Flattering?] - interesting... [oh.] but I would like to remind you that I will beat any of these "games" you throw at me. Especially if you plan to keep me from María, I think we both know how far I'm willing to go to reunite with her.

[He might just be a little overconfident, but can anyone really blame him? Guy's seen some stuff.]

But I do have one question. Why am I playing against whatever this is? I can't say I remember that happening...

[At all.]

Comments

[thepoweroflove]

[Well he could break the bad news to him about how the "Games" work here, but once he gets to the part about playing music (against... a living Happy Meals Box? Man the future's kind of weird), Marty just ends up getting distracted.]

Oh hey, you play music too?

[playsfromtheheart]

[Yeah, the future is kind of messed up. Like, what is this guy even wearing?]

You play?

[Excuse him while he pulls his guitar out, you know, that one he's constantly carrying. He even strums a few chords, as if to get Marty going. He might be just a little too excited right now.]

[beyourrock]

These games aren't actually games in which you can actually win in. But your self confidence is admirable.

I'm sure your Maria would be very flattered.

[serpientededoscabezas]

From what I've been told, what's played here aren't your ordinary games.
Particularly because there aren't even any ways to "win."

[Manolo may have caught the sudden burst of black feathers out of the corner of his eye, but if not, he should certainly be able to recognize the familiar voice now coming behind him.]

[thepoweroflove]

[That's cool, because Marty's eyes actually light up at that. You have no idea how long it's been since Marty's last met someone who also plays the guitar.]

Yeah, I play the guitar too and-

[His face faulters as he realizes that, unlike Manolo, does not carry his guitar on him at all times.]

Damn, forgot that I don't have my guitar on me. Sorry about that.

[playsfromtheheart]

[What? Why not? A guitar should be, like, an extension of one's body. That's pretty disappointing to hear, that glimmer of joy in his eyes quickly begins to fade.]

Oh.

[The tune he's been strumming slows down, as if to reflect his disappointment. ...And yet, despite that, he still can't help but smile.]

Hey, don't worry about it! What matters is you're still a musician at heart, right?

[thepoweroflove]

[Well for Marty that would require lugging around an amp and have constant access to electricity too and he would need to start seriously working out if he ever wants that to happen.

But ugh, you're making Marty feel bad that he doesn't do that yet. Still, he does manage to return the smile a little because music yes.]

I guess that's true, and I can still sing anyway. Although it's kind of awkward to just sing to a complete stranger...

[playsfromtheheart]

[It's hard to forget that voice, especially after everything he's put him through. Manolo can't help but take it all in stride, not even faltering for a second. Yes, Xibalba, you're still very creepy.]

Then I will find a way, whatever it takes. You of all people should know that.

[playsfromtheheart]

[Oh, well isn't she nice? Even with this unpleasant news, he can't help but beam. María just does that to him, even simply mentioning her.]

Heh, it would take a lot more than that to flatter María, but I assure you I would do everything in my power to get back to her, señorita.

...I should probably mention that I won't be sent to a "game" anytime soon, there's still plenty of time.

[serpientededoscabezas]

[Why thank you, Manolo, he's glad you still find him creepy~]

Of course, of course...
[A small, low chuckle.]
That is if it's even your way to find.

[playsfromtheheart]

[HA. Are you kidding, Marty? Singing to a complete stranger is called performing.]

You don't perform?

[He finds that hard to believe as he turns up the tempo. Sharing music is what musicians do.]

Go ahead, I'll follow.

[beyourrock]

That's good! You can prepare yourself if that's ever the case!

These games can be quite troublesome, from what I've gathered thus far.

[playsfromtheheart]

[Manolo cocks an eyebrow at that last comment.]

Whose else could it be...?

[playsfromtheheart]

Yes... that's what I'm hearing.

[Not that it'd stop him, but he would like some time to just...settle down with the love of his life.]

But as long as I follow my heart, I will find a way to make it through. I can't stop, not after everything...

[saxappeal]

... that might be one of the creepiest things I've ever seen hold a violin.

[And this is coming from a guy that deals with Skullgirls on a regular basis. That must say something.]

[serpientededoscabezas]

[Meanwhile Xibalba continues to act smug. He chuckles a little more this time.]

Oh I have no doubt you'll make your own path when given the opportunity, you've more than proven that already after all.
But as long as you're here? You're no longer the only one writing your story.

I think it's fairly obvious who.

[playsfromtheheart]

[Oh good, Manolo isn't the only one bothered by the box. If it weren't for Xibalba, he might've even been frightened by it.

But instead of making any comments related to it, he'll just stare at this man in awe. Because um, wow.]

Please forgive me, but you are...?

It's okay!

[playsfromtheheart]

[Manolo doesn't want to let it show how much that actually stings him, but seeing as it's Xibalba, it might be easy to tell. He's right, though, Manolo's not exactly in control anymore, is he?]

I'm not worried, if that is what you're implying.

[He even stands himself up a little straighter.]

[thepoweroflove]

I perform a bit, but usually I have back- [Oh, well he guesses he could work with that. It'll probably keep him from going overboard with the guitar playing again anyway.

Anyway, song, he's... honestly sure that he doesn't know any song that someone from what must be at least a hundred years in the past would know, but oh well, he'll just roll with it. Marty clears his throat and decides to sing the first song he can think of, and guess what it is?]

The power of love is a curious thing
make a one man weep, make another man sing
Change a hawk to a little white dove
more than a feeling that's the power of love

[playsfromtheheart]

[Manolo gives an approving laugh as his playing begins to match up with Marty's lyrics. Don't ask how he knows this song, somehow he just does, and he begins to add his own little twist on the melody since he only has the one guitar. Sorry, he can't synthesize.]

Tougher than diamonds, rich like cream
Stronger and harder than a bad girl's dream
Make a bad one good, make a wrong one right
Power of love that keeps you home at night

[As far as he knows, he believes what he's singing is completely original and he's just adding onto Marty's own lyrics. Just try not to think about it too hard, no one ever questions this.]

! <3

[serpientededoscabezas]

[Even though the ancient god continues smirking, perhaps surprisingly it becomes less out of smugness and more of a genuinely pleased grin.]

Good to hear! Since worrying wouldn't help anything anyway. You're courageous and faithful, those should become two of your most useful traits here.
Still, I wish you the very best of luck, young man.

[If this seems weird coming from Xibalba, it might be because Manolo doesn't realize yet that the deity never really had anything against him personally. Wagers are wagers, you know. Besides, he's definitely managed to impress him, especially for a mortal. And something tells him as long as they keep crossing paths, he may continue to do so.
Though this doesn't mean he won't keep him on his toes~]

[playsfromtheheart]

[It is a little weird, but then again it was a little weird when Xibalba helped them protect the town, too. Or at the very least, showed up. Even if he did mess with his life, Manolo can't bring himself to hold ill will against the god. He did sing a song about forgiving, after all. So yes, he does respect the well wishes, no matter how strange.

It's funny actually, out of all the people he expected to see here - alive, remembered, deity, what have you - Xibalba wasn't who he expected to see first. In fact, someone like him isn't who he expected to see at all. His eyes begin to widen when it finally dawns on him what that means.]

Wait, does that mean... Are you being controlled now, too?

[...What kind of wager do you have to lose to make that happen?]

[thepoweroflove]

[Well this is weird, maybe this guy is from a weird time warp? Luckily at this point Marty just kind of shrugs it off and continues singing.]

You don't need money, don't take fame
Don't need no credit card to ride this train
It's strong and it's sudden and it's cruel sometimes
but it might just save your life
That's the power of love
That's the power of love

[serpientededoscabezas]

[His expression falters when Manolo asks that, folding his arms and glancing idly to the side, red-skull eyes avoid contact with the human. Despite being content a moment ago he now seems... disappointed, perhaps?
That's not what he was wanting to hear, that's for sure.]

I wouldn't use that word. I had hoped neither would you.
It's best to think of it more as a partnership. In this case my associate is well acquainted with powerful entities, works with beings like myself all the time. But rest assured, we remain far beyond mortal command.

Learn to consider that your situation, if you like the idea of still being in charge of your own destiny.
Which I'm certain you do.

[As he says those last few words he places his arms behind his back, regaining a straight posture as his wings spread slightly out. His eyes finally focus back on the young man, with a particular amount of intensity.]

1/2

[playsfromtheheart]

[Oh, right in the heart. Manolo's expression falters slightly as he watches Xibalba look away from him, a tinge of guilt rising as the god sets him straight. He certainly does like being in control of his destiny, and implying that he's lost any of it goes against just about everything he believes in.]