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

[demonicbeauty]

Don't mind them, they're just grumpy.

[She sobers a little bit.]

I hope Reaper and Savage weren't too worried.

[survivalthroughhate]

They also no longer matter.

[And for perhaps the first time since Maul had ended up in Deerington, he actually meant those words.]

Both of them took it surprisingly well. Having blood bonds with them both meant that they could still sense me even when I was gone.

[demonicbeauty]

I...I must admit, I don't know much about these bonds.

[And obviously, she doesn't have any.

But if they kept them from worrying too much, they can't be bad...]

[survivalthroughhate]

They are....hmmm, how do I put this? It's a bit like having a connection with someone in the Force. To have a sense of them at all times, to know just a little about where they are and how they may be feeling. That's comforting to know when things like this happen. With Reaper's bond, we can actually communicate with one another telepathically as well.

[demonicbeauty]

Oh.

Then he really knew you were back and you were...all right?

Are you? You seem to be.

[survivalthroughhate]

He was. I saw him as soon as I was able to when I was back. I missed him terribly.

I'm not sure someone like me is ever completely "all right" but....I'm doing better. Much better than I was. I feel lighter in a way I haven't in a long, long time.

[demonicbeauty]

I'm so happy for you, Maul. Truly.

[survivalthroughhate]

Usually, happiness does not last for me. But perhaps this time....it shall be different.

[demonicbeauty]

There's always hope.

And don't you dare say otherwise.