Video; un: darkness (Backdated to November 28th)

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul looks very grim when he starts off the video.]

Since some of you might wonder where he is and since he had messages for me to pass along to some of you, I'm here today to tell you Wesker is dead. I killed him.

[He quickly goes on before any screeching or condemnation can start being thrown his way.]

It was not out of malice, amusement, or anger. It was an act of mercy. The zealots took him and by the time I found him he was little more than a corpse but somehow still breathing. There was no hope for his recovery.

[Maul's eyes shut for a moment, still seeing the eviscerated body lying on the table that looked more like an autopsy victim than someone still alive, lungs and heart able to be seen and still working despite all that had been done to Wesker's body by those seeking his blood.]

I'm not sure how he lasted even that long with what they did to him. I ended his suffering. Hopefully, he will be back in a short time.

[There is a private message afterwards which is only sent out to a handful of people. Vira-Lorr, Luz, Orpheus, and Ariadne.]

He asked me to pass on a message to you.

Comments

[lightthedarkness]

You're not a weapon anymore. [She offered easily enough, as if that would explain everything because, well, it did.]

It takes time to unlearn it, but the most important thing to remember is that you are more than he wanted you to be. You are beyond his control now. You are not a weapon... or a monster.

[No matter how much Maul loved to relish in the act of it sometimes.]

[survivalthroughhate]

It's still hard to remember that sometimes.

[Maul says quietly. Much as he doesn't want to see himself as only a weapon or a monster, it is an easy mindset to fall into, something that he may not enjoy but which he wears like an old familiar shirt.]

So many years of being one are not so easily undone.

[lightthedarkness]

I know.

[She smiles, gently.]

I know that too.

[She's infinitely more patient than people give her credit for.]

[survivalthroughhate]

You know that. It doesn't always feel like others do. They expect a miracle to have occurred in two years, for me to have somehow developed a conscience and compassion for all beings in that time, despite us living in hell the entire time fighting for survival as well.

[Maul learning how to be better would have been difficult in a perfectly normal, mundane town, let alone being a Sleeper kept as a plaything for the Pthumerians in the two towns. He sighs heavily, leaning into Usagi's touch.]

I suppose this counts. I don't like learning this step but it is something after all.

[lightthedarkness]

Baby steps are still movement. [Even if Maul usually follows progress with MILES of backtracking.] Just look at how far you've come already.

[She smiles a bit bigger.]

So stubborn, Maulrus.

[survivalthroughhate]

Isn't progress supposed to feel....good?

[Cause this doesn't feel very nice at all and he's feeling seven different ways at once, none of them really positive.

He can't quite bring himself to smile back but his eyes soften up.]

Always and to the very end.

[lightthedarkness]

Not caring is easy. Loving other people, caring about other people, has weight.

You're only now properly feeling it.

[survivalthroughhate]

I still don't like it.

[Maul says contrarily. Then he sighs and turns to look at Usagi.]

Will you stay with me for the rest of the day?

Wrap?

[lightthedarkness]

Yes, of course, I will. [She smiles gently.] I'm happy to be here for you.

Wrap!

[survivalthroughhate]

Thank you, Usagi.

[Having the solid presence of one of his best friends around was enough to keep him grounded and remind him this was a good step even if it didn't feel like it.]