Video; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul was sitting outside on his roof, the snow softly coming down around him, hood up so they didn't land on his head. There was a soft, contemplative look on his face that he didn't often wear. For those that knew Maul, they'd realize there was one big change. His eyes, which had constantly been a golden color before, were now instead a grey-brown.

Next to him, looking perfectly fine with this cold weather due to the fur that made him little more than a ball of fluff, was his Mankey, named rather fittingly Cranky. Though Maul seemed unaware of it, the Pokémon was imitating his master in body language perfectly right now, sitting down with his arms folded and staring off into the distance. Mankey see, Mankey do and all that.

There was a long pause before he began the video. He was woolgathering and trying to put everything together, saying it in just the right way.]

For anyone I teach, classes will commence again now that I am back. [There was a pause.] In case you were unaware, I made a long journey to my home galaxy for about three years, though I understand I was only gone for about a week here. I had....quite the experience just before I came back with the Dark Side of the Force. I had to face a great many things about myself and learn some hard truths. But while I could not accept what it had to offer me then, I think I am ready to now. To let go of the past, to put some of my pain behind me, to gain more power than I ever thought I could.

[Always with the search of power. He couldn't help it, such a thing was ingrained into him by now.]

It taught me to let go of fear and pain and instead learn to care about others, to keep anger close, but never to let it turn self-destructive. Things many of you have told me here but which I did not want to listen to. But who am I to deny it when the Force itself tells me such things? [There was a soft laugh.] Well, I have returned and don't plan to go anywhere, much to the misfortune of some of you.....But this has proven an interesting experience, one I shall take heed of going forward.

Comments

[survivalthroughhate]

Thank you. That makes at least a few who are.

[With probably more to come. Maul had a lot of people here who were fond of him, whether or not he wanted to admit it.]

Yes. I learned there was a place where great power in the Dark Side could be found. I went through a series of trials there, and while I wasn't able to pass them, coming back here I realized what I was meant to learn from them.

[centile]

Changing is hard like that, I think. Sometimes people need to be mad or suspicious for a while before they're ready to see it.

[forgiveness, caution, all that. mob's the type who finds the effort something to admire.]

Why is it called the Dark Side? [that makes it sound kind of... well dark? and so far it sounded pretty generous to mob, for some potentially unknowable power.]

[survivalthroughhate]

Some will eventually come around. And some will remain that way forever. All that shows is that in the end, they are the ones who are unable to change.

[Maul would find great satisfaction in proving those rigid hypocrites wrong.

He gave Mob his standard answer.]

Because it is the opposite of Light. [Alright, that didn't tell the kid much, so Maul revised his answer.] There are opposites of everything in life. Light and dark, fire and water, passion and detachment. It doesn't make one better or worse than the other, it is simply two sides that help to create a whole. So that is why it is called the Dark Side.

[centile]

[huh, that's actually pretty on point, making mob nod along. it was fine if someone was never ready to forgive, he thinks, but wasn't that being stuck in a way? much to think about.] I hope they'll all give you a chance in the end.

[for everyone's sake, really.

that's a better answer, yes, and he considers for a while before asking,] Isn't balancing all of that the best way to handle things? It seems kind of messy, always choosing one over the other.

[survivalthroughhate]

You and I both.

[He didn't have much hope many who already knew him were going to think he could change but this could only help with the new people that came in month by month.]

Most Force-users in my galaxy tend to drift more towards one side or the other. There's never been many, at least in the present era, who are more into shades of grey. It was different many eons ago in the past. As for myself, I was born on a planet steeped in the Dark Side from the very beginning, so I've always gravitated towards it, my emotions felt strongly and passionate rather than the detachment from them that Jedi have.