deernet | 001 Video; UN: Cuddlebunny

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001 Video; UN: Cuddlebunny

[When the video turns on, Usagi looks... well, honestly downright haggard. But Usagi, when exhausted has a bad habit of masking and thus, acts even more bubbly and energetic than usual. And before you ask, no, she's not fine. But she will lie and say she is.

But don't mention the bags under her eyes, that's rude.]

HI EVERYONE!

[She's waving at the screen excitedly in some hopes to not let on the deep exhaustion she's badly hiding.]

My name is Usagi Tsukino! I uh... met some of you before when we first got here but couldn't really properly introduce myself! BUT I CAN TALK AGAIN! [And she's decided to make that everyone's problem.] Actually, I've been able to talk for AWHILE but ANYWAY! So hi!

Anywho! Do you know what I realized last night? I mean, probably a LOT of people have realized this actually but I doooon't think anyone has said it, or, at least I don't think so! Maybe I missed it! Sorry if someone already said something like this!

[She's rambling.]

Anyhow! I realized that while lots and lots and lots and lots of people may already know lots and lots and lots of other people cause ya know, so many of us came from Deerington, there are JUST as many people who have absolutely no clue who anyone else is or where we are or why we're here! I mean, I'm those last two too, but I lucked out on knowing some of you!

SO! So so so! I thought, hey! Why not introduce yourself and then we can all get to know one another and we can all help one another and it will be awesome and we can be all amazing together!

I'LL START!

My name is Usagi Tsukino! I'm originally from Tokyo, Japan! I love cats and rabbits, food, and video games and my favorite hobbies are sleeping and eating but oh oh oh! I like shopping, making all sorts of new friends, playing video games, reading manga and comics, aaaaaand well actually I can't think of anything else right now!

Now it's your turn!

((OOC Notes: Feel free to tag other people, it's essentially an open post.))

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I've traveled back and forth through an entire galaxy of planets. I've learned there's far more differences than similarities between people. Remind me to tell you of the two gods that are worshipped on Dathomir sometime. They might have similarities with some of those found on Earth.

Really? That must've been really incredible, then, seeing how different people can be. I would've imagined it'd be hard not to see patterns if you went to enough places.

I'll remember that though. The gods of Dathomir, right? I'll ask you about them next time we see each other.

Indeed. There are more things people have in common than those that make them different. Yet they certainly seem to find enough to fight over whenever they feel the need for a war.

[ Orpheus frowns a little at that. ]

Are there a lot of wars, where you come from?

Far too many. But the Sith don't believe peace is a constant state of being. It's temporary if ever to be found at all.

The Sith? [ Orpheus echoes, unfamiliar with the term. ] That seems like a sad way to look at things.

[ But he thinks about it all the same, trying to wrap his head around the idea. ]

I... I guess some conflict is unavoidable, when it comes to any big group of people? But still...

[ He'd like to think lasting peace was an achievable goal. ]

That is what I am. A Sith. The Sith are those who follow the Dark Side of the Force.

[He shrugs.]

Not so much. Some people believe in tranquility and peace. Others believe in passion and constant change.

The Force? What's that?

[ And that explanation makes a little more sense to Orpheus, but he still frowns a little bit as he considers it. ]

I guess it doesn't sound as bad when you put it that way, but... Do you really think peace and change are opposed like that? I don't mean any disrespect! I've just never heard anyone talk about it like that before.

[ At least not so directly. But he thinks for a moment about the order and security of Hadestown, and wasn't that the kind of stagnant peace that Maul is talking about here? One that had to be disrupted, by passion and upheaval, to make any real change? ]

The Force is an energy field that is found in all living things. It binds the universe together. Those that are sensitive to it can manipulate it and use it in many different ways. It is what gives me my powers.

[His standard explanation for how the Force works and one he thinks most Sleepers can understand.]

Yes. There are some situations where all peace accomplishes is to create a slow decay, allowing things to merely stop right in their tracks. When that happens, you create a breeding ground for corruption and hypocrisy to fester. A world without change is sterile and boring. On some planets, when there is too much overgrowth that begins to choke everything in its path, controlled wildfires are used to burn it down to the soil again, allowing life to flourish once again. Do you understand?

[Maul isn’t always the best at making his points clear.]

[ Orpheus nods slowly, not sure he entirely understands, but he thinks he's got the gist of what the Force is. Not a god, per se, but maybe something a little like their power and divinity. In any case, the more philosophical side of things strikes a more recognizable chord. ]

Right. When things stay the same for so long that people can only see how the world is, not how it could be, and they lose hope. I guess you're right? I've never been anywhere that there wasn't something that needed to change, to make things better or more fair, and there weren't always peaceful ways to make the people who could make those changes happen listen.

[Maul's eyes brighten as he realizes this is entirely something that Orpheus understands.]

Precisely. Darkness doesn't always equate with being evil, given how the Sith look at change, and light is not always good given how the Jedi's path of complete sameness only leads to stagnation. Sometimes, there are merely two different ways of looking at the same problem.

Right. I still think war and fighting are - [ he starts to say 'necessary evils' but stops himself, thinks, and rephrases. ] regrettable, when they have to happen? And that peace is something to strive for. But I understand what you mean, I think, and I agree that sometimes upheaval and unrest are vital to making the world a better place, and that some people use the idea of peace as an excuse to keep others down.

The Jedi are a different sect, then? Also followers of the Force, but the light side?

That makes you more enlightened then some here. They here the word 'darkness' and immediately assume it equates with being evil, that the darkness is something to fear rather than just being half of a whole. After all, one would not know what the day looks like without the contrast of night, would they? [Granted, Maul's general personality did not help in that assumption but he really was trying to ardently change now.]

Yes. There are two here in town. The Jedi believe in detachment from their emotions and are forbidden from forming attachment. While it can make them compassionate, kind, and loving, it can also end up with them arrogant, hypocritical, and becoming obsessed with stodgy rituals that no longer have any meaning because they've forgotten why they were performed in the first place.

[That's honestly a far fairer assessment of the Jedi than Maul usually gives but he's loosened up just a little bit since he's given up some of his blind hatred towards Obi-Wan. Anakin, on the other hand, can still go take a long walk off a short cliff as far as Maul is concerned.]

[ Orpheus nods along with that, thoughtfully. He's familiar enough with this kind of philosophical debate to know that the Jedi would probably have a very different explanation of the Light Side and the Dark Side both, but Maul's explanation does make sense. If you want to be a peacekeeper, it helps to be objective, right? And objectivity is hard if you're attached to any one thing, be it a person or an ideal. But giving up that sort of thing is a terribly lonely-sounding way to live. ]

It sounds like both the Light and Dark side have their, um. [ He pauses, searching for the words. ] Troubling extremes? That people can take them to, if they're not careful. But I guess that's sort of the point, with them being two halves of a whole. They're both important philosophies, even if you favor one or the other.

Exactly. Both sides have become stagnant after so long. While I respect the ways of the Sith I was taught, it might be time for something else, to break away from both ends and bring forth a new creation.

[Maul nods approvingly at Orpheus' words.]

Very good. You understand well. There is more going on behind those eyes than that pretty face would suggest.

[Maul shall have to speak more with this man. He's become more intrigued now than he was before.]

Oh, um, thanks! [ says Orpheus, sort of missing the backhanded nature of the compliment. ] And whatever you decide, when it comes to philosophy, I hope you can find something that works for you. It can be hard breaking away from what you were taught, but sometimes it needs to happen.

Yes. It has been a slow lesson to learn but I have begun to see the wisdom in it.

[Maul was not quite a full-blown Sith any longer. Instead, he was slowly morphing into something new, still on the Dark Side but not Sidious’ pet monster any longer.]

I'm glad. I'm sure you'll find something that suits your needs, in time. This seems like something you've put a lot of thought into.

About fourteen years worth of thought into, all things considered.

[It took half his life to get brainwashed completely into his master's faithful Sith weapon and it'll take just as long to help get him back to a place of stability.]

I shall speak with you later at some other point.

[ Orpheus nods, smiling and raising his hand to wave goodbye. ]

Right! I'll see you then.

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001 Video; UN: Cuddlebunny

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