deernet | Video; un: darkness

[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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Considering the propensity that people from Maul's galaxy have for losing limbs? That is actually a legitimate accomplishment.

Still, even when ACTUALLY GUILTY, Anakin had a pretty good habit of making Maul look like the villain.

Not that Maul did himself any favors with this little show either.]

I'm glad. [And she is, truly.] And I hope this is the end of it. [But they both know it's not until Anakin is done spiraling... so this will literally never end.]

Hopefully... this won't even need to be a path that gets taken in the future. [Maybe Anakin will actually listen and reason, maybe people won't jump to immediately accusing Maul, maybe Maul will not be immediately associated with "unhinged light-sword wielder" (although, Anakin is very quickly catching up with him).

She keeps hoping.

Someone has to.]

[He wishes he was beside her so he could give her a hug. Or vice versa, either was fine with him really. He just wanted to feel some comfort and support right now and Usagi's hugs tended to revitalize him like nothing else did.]

I don't know. [He doesn't want Usagi to have false hope.] I am willing to change but I'm not so sure he does.

I am discussing possibilities with Obi-Wan on what to do to handle him. I didn't want to involve him.....[He sighs and looks down.] .....But it is far too late for that. We're trying to figure out how to keep him from falling further.

[As far as Maul could tell, Obi-Wan was being far too much of a soft touch with his apprentice. Maul was of the opinion he needed a swift kick in the ass to get him back on track. He has Venge put the conversation on Private.]

I discussed what you suggested with Obi-Wan. He only wants to try it as a last resort after he's exhausted all others.

[She perks up when he mentions that he offered her idea to Obi-Wan.

If he was mentioning it to Obi-Wan, he was taking her suggestion seriously and not just dismissing it.

She gives a small nod. She's honestly not sure what else can really be done. Anakin didn't even care that he killed an innocent man in cold blood. He was... well past that now.]

I think... something is wrong with him. And this isn't a time to joke. I mean more... something seems off. He's... I think something is going on, and I'm really worried for him and for everyone too. [Force users who get twitchy cause a whole bunch of people to suddenly need prosthetics.

Or enjoy a brief funeral.]

The good thing... really the best thing in all this is that Flynn came back. But I... something seems really... different about Anakin, Maul. And I don't know how to explain it. [Mostly because she's only ever seen Anakin bawling or screaming at her. But here? Here he was so... she didn't know what the right word was, unable to figure out how to explain it. She shook her head.]

It... maybe this place is doing something to him?

I fear his descent into the Dark Side plays a part. I'm used to the dark, Usagi, I've lived in it ever since I was born. But to take someone on the Light and suddenly infuse them with the power of the Dark....it can be intoxicating I am sure, like getting hit with a lightning bolt of energy. But it has gone right to his head and driven him close to the brink.

[Maul is certain that is what has happened. It would explain much about his behavior. As for the rest, he goes on with his theory.]

If this place is influencing him as well, I'm afraid we might have a Force user who is rapidly becoming out-of-control on our hands. I couldn't very well ask Obi-Wan to ponder the idea of killing someone who is like a son to him but I know you will understand when I say killing him may be our only option here.

[He's not saying this in usual trigger-happy "killing is the first, only, and best solution" way he usually does. No, Maul says this very grimly, as if they've run out of other options.]

I don't want it to come to that but we may have to. You saw what I was like when Deerington brainwashed me. Anakin is far more powerful and stronger in the Force than I am. The count of who he kills will he measured by how high he stacks the bodies.

Maybe so... but he's not lost yet. Even those who turn to the Dark Side can turn back, those who were BORN in it, are not lost. [Don't talk to HER about someone not being able to be saved, Maul, she dragged YOU kicking and screaming, she took Galaxia by the hand, she loves her other half, Chaos.

She's not about to give up on Anakin just because he's being moody a moody ass. If she did, she'd have left Maul the moment they met.]

You were stopped, I was stopped. There is always a way.

He's immensely stubborn and refuses to deal with any of the issues that plague him. He seems to prefer running away further into the Dark instead of facing them head on. Do you plan to take on a project that might take a couple of years?

[Look, Maul knows he's no picnic to deal with and it takes a lot of mental energy to deal with him. He doesn't want Usagi getting burnt out trying to help someone who refuses to let anyone do anything for him.]

Becoming someone's friend is not "taking on a project." And hopefully, he's open to the idea of friendship.

Have you gotten that feeling from him at all? That he's the type of person to want friends?

[At least Maul, once someone got past the anger, hatred, and other walls put around himself, found he was open to the idea given he was rather lonely at his core.]

Yes, actually I DO. You definitely weren't the type of person to admit to wanting friends! And look at how that turned out! Now we're besties and you love me!

Edited 2021-10-16 06:58 (UTC)

Then good luck dealing with Skywalker. I’m sure a Jedi won’t stand a chance against your aggressive friendship tendencies.

You certainly didn't.

Video; un: darkness

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