Video; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

[The video starts off with Maul looking angry, as he usually does, and he starts in with no introduction or insults. There’s a definite sense one gets watching that he’s doing his best to keep himself from pissing off the population at large.]

It appears that recently there was a misunderstanding over who had killed someone named Flynn. I am here to make it clear that was not me. While I have no issues with being accused of things I have actually done, I won’t stand for people speculating that I am the cause of all your miseries here--

[He pauses, visibly restraining himself from saying anything further that he knows won’t help his cause here.]

--But no matter. I knew who actually did it and so I have brought the miscreant forth to tell you himself.

[He nods to someone off-screen and Savage comes forward with Anakin. He has his lightsaber pointed at his throat.

The effects of bloodsport and corruption have started leaving their marks on Anakin. Despite the lightsaber held against him, he’s still twitchy with pent up energy. In addition he’s flushed with fever. He stares at Maul blankly, not understanding what’s going on here.]

Are you going to kill me again?

[Maul shakes his head no, pointing to Venge who is currently broadcasting the video.]

Not if you cooperate. Now, tell the people here what you did at the Gate.

[He looks at Savage.]

Cut his hand off if he refuses to cooperate. I’ve no patience for playing games today.

[A smirk appeared on Savage’s lips, and he lowered the lit end of his saberstaff downwards to make it clear that the threat would be carried out without question. His mechanical hand tightened on Anakin to prevent much squirming.

Anakin winces as the metal parts in his hand grind together. Maintenance wasn’t as easy.]

So if I say whatever you want me to I get to go? [Turning directly to face the camera.] Whatever he said, it was me. It was all me. I did it.

[Maul nods in satisfaction. He figures that’s as good as they’re gonna get on any coherency from Anakin.]

There, you see? It wasn’t me.

[Then he turns to Savage.]

Let him go.

[Honestly, the fact Maul isn’t about to execute Anakin on the network is a bigger sign he’s sincere about this than anything else. He never would have been willing to let Anakin go after having to deal with such a problem a year or two ago.

Savage growled as he turned his saberstaff off, then moved to seize Anakin to drag him off screen to be set free. As promised.]

[Red=Maul, Blue=Anakin. Any of the three are available for replies!]

Comments

( video | un: kenobi )

[jedies]

[ well. disappointments all around and clearly visible from his face. ]

Really now.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul pointedly doesn't look at his Omen who is still recording himself on video. His soft voice contains an odd note, something that's always been lacking when Maul usually talks to Obi-Wan.]

I did not wish for it to come to this. I was hoping you wouldn't have to witness it.

[jedies]

[ obi-wan resists the urge to pull his robe over his head, to burrow deep. it is not his way, though he knows he has been looking away. it feels like a laceration, cut quick across his heart like a whip. ]

. . . Thank you for sparing his life.

Private

[survivalthroughhate]

[It would feel too odd to say 'You're welcome' to what any other person would have already known exactly not to do. But Maul isn't normal and Obi-Wan knows this. He finally looks up for a brief moment.]

Call it professional courtesy.

[He certainly hadn't done it for Anakin's own sake, that much was clear. Even a year ago, it would have been certain that he would turn this into an execution video. But he's changed just enough during that time to be able to bend enough not to kill the wayward Jedi.

Then he asks Venge to switch the video over to Private, which the Maalraas does with a nod of the head.]

I take it that talking him out of his downward spiral hasn't gone according to plan?

[jedies]

It has been . . . slow. He's holding back.

[ which makes it difficult. jedi aren't mind-readers, not in the purest sense of the word and there's only so much obi-wan can do. that doesn't mean he's giving up. ]

[survivalthroughhate]

It's not just me he's affecting these days. He's going to be completely out-of-control soon unless something is done.

[For once, Maul actually doesn't mean killing him. What he thinks is that Anakin needs a swift kick in the ass. He's reluctant to bring the next part up and it's obvious in how slow and hesitant his words come.]

Usagi had an idea she thought might help. I told her no instantly-- [As Maul usually does] --But I wonder if you think it might have merit.

[jedies]

[ his eyes flicker over to maul. ]

What is it?

[survivalthroughhate]

[It shows how much he thinks of Obi-Wan's opinion that he's even trusting him with this idea.]

Part of the problem, though not the totality of it, is that he's still convinced that my master will give him what he desires. She thought if I were to show him one of my childhood memories of a.....less than happy nature he might think differently, seeing him act like the monster he is towards an innocent child instead of the kindly facade he puts on.

I know it will not fix everything entirely-- [Anakin is currently a mess and a half.] --But it might be a start. What are your thoughts on the matter?

[jedies]

[ that is . . .quite the offer and obi-wan appears a little shocked that maul offered it at all. ]

You are offering a great deal. Are you sure you want to do this?

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maybe, just maybe, Maul's finally beginning to understand the whole 'making amends' thing people have been talking about. He's not doing this for Anakin, definitely not.

But he's hurt Obi-Wan many times, even once by killing Anakin directly. This is a way to balance things out, to give something back to his old foe instead of taking something away from him. He's hurt Obi-Wan many times by proxy through his loved ones. This time, he's trying to help one.

He pointedly avoids answering the question directly. No, he's not sure about this at all, but he's made the offer and isn't about to take it back. Instead, he answers with a question of his own.]

You know him far better than I. Would he use what he saw against me?

[jedies]

[ his instinct is to say no. anakin is many things, reckless, impulsive. but anakin can also be contrite, forgiving. obi-wan doesn't believe anakin is manipulative, at least not to the degree of the dark.

but this is asking a lot out of maul. so obi-wan needed more than instinct and his love for anakin. he had to be sure. ]

I do not believe it. But I will exhaust all options first.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul nods. He believes Obi-Wan. They have done many things to one another but Maul will say this much: neither of them have ever intentionally lied to the other. He doesn't intend to start now.]

Very well. Should you need me, I'm at your disposal.

[jedies]

[ it takes him a moment to absorb that, but he does nod gently. ]

I will keep it in mind.

Voice; un: ...

[opress]

He lived.

[That seemed the be the moral of the story as far as he was concerned.]

[jedies]

[ obi-wan frowns. ]

So it seems. Though your methods leave a lot to be desired, judging by the reactions it has received.

[opress]

Only one opinion on how I conduct myself matters to me.

[jedies]

[ dryly. ]

Then I suppose you have conducted yourself admirably in that regard.

[ just as the nightsisters would have liked him to be. obedient. ]

[opress]

I have. No doubt you too know all about following orders, Jedi.

[jedies]

I think you've beaten us in that respect.

[opress]

Some of us only have one thing to lose.

[jedies]

Then I would think you would hold more respect for loss.

[opress]

We've been over this. Only Maul matters.

Aren't you the same?

[jedies]

[ bone dry. ]

Considering you were there when Satine died, I would think you know the answer to that.

[opress]

[He rumbled acknowledgement. He had been there, and watching that human female hadn't bothered him in the least. It was Maul making a statement.

So there was a more important question:]

You're powerful in the Force. Why didn't you make more an effort to save her?

not here

[facultative]

[Does this mean he doesn't get hugs any more? :c]