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

[danserai]

[ this . . . is the worst. ]

A-And . . . Cypher?

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul hesitates a moment.]

I don't know. He wasn't there with Wesker when I found him. I know he would have tried to free him long before I came across him, so I can only assume the zealots either incapacitated or killed him before they took Wesker.

[danserai]

That's . . . so horrible.

[ taking people and hurting them like that. poor dr. wesker. he had been so nice to her. ]

[survivalthroughhate]

Indeed. This place has done many terrible things to people and will continue to do so. Of that I am certain.

[Maul doesn't really have the skills to comfort anyone when they were obviously upset but he can at least try.]

At least he is no longer in pain. He is likely somewhere as a squid now.

[danserai]

[ she sniffles, wiping her face with her sleeve. ]

H-He'll come back?

[survivalthroughhate]

Most of the time they do.

[Maul won't lie and say it happens 100% of the time because he's seen at least one person die and get sent back to their world instead of reviving but he'll at least try to preserve the illusion of hope.]

[danserai]

[ she nods, rubbing at her eyes. she would have to cry later. it doesn't help anyone now. ]

It must have been a hard thing to do.

[survivalthroughhate]

...Not as hard as it would have been for some here.

[If there was one thing Maul was good at, it was killing. When he had to make the tough choice, he got it done, and didn't wring his hands over it or consider how this might affect his wellbeing the way other "good people" here might have.]

[danserai]

[ that's a strange answer and she looks at him quizzically. ]

That doesn't make it less hard, right? It doesn't seem like you wanted to do it. It was something you had to do.

[survivalthroughhate]

I've had to kill a lot of people during my life. I'm used to it by now.

[That wasn't quite the truth but Maul certainly wasn't about to admit that to a stranger.]

[danserai]

[ ah. ]

I'm sorry. It sounds like a terrible thing to get used to. And be used.

[survivalthroughhate]

Not so much. It gets easier the longer one does it.

[Though that isn't a good thing either. Growing used to killing meant Maul had lost so much of his compassion and goodwill towards other. It became hard to feel anything after a point for anyone around him.]

[danserai]

Easier doesn't mean less terrible.

[ like. they don't even match. ]

[survivalthroughhate]

But it does make it affect me less than others.

[That wasn't quite right. Maul was affected by killing just the same as anyone else, he just experienced it in a far different way given all that he'd been through over the course of his life.]

[Video][UN: <unknown>]

[subject_013]

[Have a white weasel sitting among some snowy rocks near the shore.]

'Allo! No needs for you to worry about me. I'd gawn for 'elp when Master Maul found me boss. [A bit more serious.] I felts it when 'e parssed, but... 'Twas a kind fing that the 'orned feller did. [Brighter now] But, me boss'll be back soon. I can feels 'im out there in the sea. Can't read 'is thoughts like I usually can, but I can sense 'is spirit. I'm down by th' seaside, watchin' for 'im to come back. Bit nippy out 'ere, but [Sits up and holds out his front legs] I gots me winter coat on, as yeh can see.

[danserai]

Mr. Cypher . . . I'm glad you're all right.

[ she wipes her face. ]

I'm sorry such a horrible thing happened. Do you need help?

[subject_013]

Miss Ahiru, 'allo!

[Crossing his paws on the rock in front of him.] I'm good, but could use someone to sit wiff out 'ere whilst I'm waitin' for the boss to come back. But don't fink yeh needs come join me. 'S a bit nippy, but I can takes it.

[danserai]

No, I'll be there.

[ it's the least she could do and she wouldn't put it off. ]

[subject_013]

[Cypher tilts their head, whiskers wiggling, pleased.]

S'pose tellin' yer to go about yer usual would steel yer resolve. But company's much 'preciated. I ain't 'ard to find, though I does blend into the snow. 'Elps that I'm the only ermine about 'ere.

[danserai]

. . . Is it painful?

[ her resolve is fine. but seeing people in pain is something she'd like to be prepared for. ]

[subject_013]

Bein' separated from yeh Sleeper? It's not comfortable, but 's more lonely than painful. Feelin' 'im pass, that 'urt a fair bit. I couldn't feel it like 'twas
'appening to me, but I sensed it. 'S hard to know unless ye've been there.

Or ye mean comin' back? Hain't done that before. so ...'s a first for me an' the boss.

[There's a thoughtful note in his otherwise cheery tone.]

( video > action )

[danserai]

That's okay. I'll be there soon okay?

[ and she does appear promptly with a coat she managed to snag from the house. shivering slightly she scans the area looking for cypher. ]

Re: ( video > action )

[subject_013]

You got it, luv!

[He hunkers down on his rock, chin on his folded paws.]

--

[It might be tricky to spot Cypher: the cold has left the sand pale between the patches of snow, and it collected the most between the rocks. Also the Wakers moving about assisting the newly arrived Sleepers may cause some diversions. But finally...]

Oy! over 'ere!

[Something small and white comes bounding across the sand toward Ahiru before pausing at her feet and sitting up on their haunches.]

Glad yeh came! Sorry it 'ad to happen like this. [A pause, a glance up and down her.] Mind if I sits on yer shoulder? We'd be closer that way.

[danserai]

Sure.

[ she sits down on a rock, bending a little so cypher can climb on. she surveys the beach with a forlorn look. ]

How long have you been waiting . . . ? Was it lonely?

[subject_013]

[He climbs onto Ahiru's arm and clambers up to her shoulder, perching there.]

Honly a few days, a week, thereabouts. Been back and forth from 'ere and the 'ouse the boss got up in Lumenwood. Big ol' place, lots o' books. But mostly I've been down 'ere, watchin' the waves. [A glance down to the water's edge.] Just been new Sleepers so far, but givvit time. Tide'll bring 'im soon enough.