Accidental Video; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

[CW: There is canon-style violence in the clips linked, which include a fight which ends in an implied beheading (not shown directly on-screen) and a character being impaled on a lightsaber.]

[The memory begins as Savage, Maul, and a purple-eyed man walk into a throne room. Maul, in all his dramatic glory, challenges the leader of Death Watch to a fight to the death, something he knows Pre Vizsla can't refuse. Maul is given his lightsaber, gives out an inhuman roar like a big cat would, and the fight begins.

For a while, it seems like Maul has bitten off more than he can chew. Vizsla is giving him a challenge and he's on the defense for a good portion of the fight. But Maul isn't stupid and this has all been planned out. He refrains from using his Force powers and even switches to his right hand, his non-dominant one several times in the fight, to make it a more even playing field. He's deliberately holding himself back. When the Death Watch leader shoots off tiny blades at hi, he laughs and it's clear Maul is enjoying himself. This fight is a lot of fun for him, and while Pre Vizsla may be a tough opponent, he's no match for the Sith Lord.

When Maul decides enough is enough, he grabs hold of the man's arm and brutally breaks it, making him drop his weapon. Then the Sith Lord brutally beats him down, kicking him so hard at one point that a tooth goes flying, until it's clear Maul is the winner. He calls the Darksaber to him. Vizsla, surprisingly, takes his impending death well. "Like you said, only the strongest shall rule," he says just before Maul slices his head cleanly off. He looks up and sees Savage smiling proudly at him, a rare expression to see from the younger Zabrak.

Half of Death Watch is quick to follow but the other half, lead by Vizsla's second-in-command Bo-Katan refuse. Maul orders them executed and the two sides begin to fight. As for Maul himself, he sits back on the throne. He is in command of Mandalore now, and by extension, his power in the galaxy has grown.

As the memory fades out, Maul's voice in the present can be heard as he talks to his Omen.]

Venge, what is that? What are you doi--

[And then it cuts out again as the second memory starts. Maul's in the same throne room but now it's night. He seems a little distracted. "Hmmm, I sense a presence. A presence I haven't felt since--" Then his eyes grow wide as he realizes who has arrived. "--Master!" There's more fear expressed in that one word than two years of living in Pthumerian-run towns could ever produce in Maul.

Then Darth Sidious strolls on in like he owns the place, casually strangling two Mandalorian guards as he does so. It's tempting for anyone who's heard about Sidious to be a little confused. This is the man who inspires such fear in Maul? This little old man wearing a dark robe who isn't even as tall as his adopted son? Maul immediately starts in about having done everything to make his way back to his master's side, hoping to buy time. Unfortunately, Sidious knows Maul far too well and can tell he's lying.

He starts in by using the Force to pin Maul and Savage to the windows before letting them go. Maul glances at Savage. This is going to be their toughest fight ever and they'll need to do their best if they want to have a hope of surviving it. When the three start dueling, it becomes apparent that Sidious has outclassed Maul and Savage just as much as Maul had outclassed Pre Vizsla in the last clip. He's enjoying this fight, smiling and laughing as he toys around with the brothers like they're a pair of novices.

At one point, Maul gets knocked out of the fight and he loses consciousness for about twenty seconds, the screen going dark before he staggers to his feet, his sight blurry and not quick to come back. Unfortunately, this costs him everything he holds dear. Sidious quickly gains the upper hand and impales Savage through the chest. Maul's face is one of devastation. "Brother...." He ignores Sidious and leaps to his brother's side.

Savage gasps out his last words. "Brother...I am an unworthy apprentice....I'm not like you....I never was...." Some people think Maul is a heartless bastard but that is proven incorrect as he looks like his hearts are breaking when his brother dies. All he can do is hold onto him as he slips away, knowing there's nothing he can do to stop it. He can't even bring himself to say how much his brother means to him, struck dumb by grief.

There's no time to mourn, however, for Sidious start taunting him. Maul turns back to his brother's killer and he's shaking with rage. This time when he goes after Sidious, the old man isn't smiling anymore. He's not just toying around as Maul fights him, he's actually having to put forth effort. He's pushed his former apprentice over the edge and this time Maul's determined to make him hurt. Those who know lightsaber forms will realize Maul's style of Jar'Kai, using two lightsabers at once, mirrors of that of Sidious' exactly. It was where he learned it, after all.

But his advantage doesn't last for long as Sidious overwhelms him once again. "Have mercy! Please! Please!" For those who know Maul, they might find it odd he's begging for mercy, his tone like that of a scared child. It's unlike the Sith Lord to ask an opponent to spare him. But that's not what he's asking. The mercy he wants is for Sidious to kill him, for he knows that anything the Sith Lord has planned for him is far worse than the sweet release of death would be. But he doesn't get it as Sidious tells him there is no mercy and continues to torture him with Force Lightning. The memory ends with Maul screaming in terror and pain.

Once again, Maul's voice in the present speaks up. This time, he's more aware of what has happened.]

What. Was. That?! Venge, how did that even happen? What did you do? Turn it off! Turn it--!

[And finally the feed cuts out.]

[OOC: An opening post to get the ball rolling for the player plot going on right now!]

Comments

Video; un: lothrat

[ezra_of_lothal]

Right. So. I follow most of what's going on here. In the, uh, memories, I mean, not why they're being blasted to the network.

Anyway, if you just can't help yourself, how about considering bringing nosy questions to me, and leaving Maul alone. [Ezra glares at the screen before he softens a little.]

Maul - obviously I've got my own history and biases, here, but you know we can agree on Sidious, so...my comm's open if you need to talk.

((OOC: Thread jack away, of course.))

[Video] un: QueenCobra

[abornfighter]

Sidious is the creepy old fuckface in the hood and robes?

[She's not going to pry for details into what's clearly a very painful memory, but she does want clarification on this one thing.]

private - text; un: a.solo

[hopesparks]

Don't take on too much.

You okay?

[survivalthroughhate]

Why would I need to talk? There's nothing to talk about here. This isn't a situation where you can fix anything.

[That last part comes out with a bit more bite than Maul intends but it's understandable given the situation. He's pegged Ezra as being a fixer, an annoying but harmless habit most of the time. But right now, with his memories on display for the entire network to comment on, he's feeling a little raw.]

[Video] un: QueenCobra

[abornfighter]

So...that was a lot. I'm not going to ask if you're okay, but if you want a distraction from all of that, let me know.

[survivalthroughhate]

[See, he was already warming up to Tory in their last conversation but this is definitely making her rise in his esteem. She gets it.]

A distraction would be most welcome.

[So he can stop replaying the moment where his brother died in his arms over and over again in his mind.]

audio | private | un: sds

[fogsong]

[ The memories are a lot to swallow and she can only imagine the horror charging through Maul's skull at having such darkness blasted out onto the network for everyone to witness. The first memory was a bit much but it's the second one that really cuts and reminds Sharon of what Maul spoke about last month and the cruelty of his Master.

She grinds her teeth together, torn between an empathetic rage and sorrow. She wants to tell him that it's a good thing that death isn't a permanent fixture here for Sleepers because if Sidious ever step foot from that ocean, she would hurt him in ways he could have only dreamt of being able to do to others. But that wouldn't make Maul feel any better, it'd just make it all about her. ]

Hey, uh... I'm here if you need me. For anything, even if you just want to scream or something. [ There's a pregnant pause and then she quietly adds: ] He'll hurt for the pain he's caused. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but one day.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul's feeling raw, all exposed nerves and off-kilter. With his mindset, he fully expects people to use what they've seen against him. He can't help it, he just expects the worst out of people. But Sharon's words to make him feel a smidgen better.]

That at least I do know and take comfort in. One of the best things I ever heard from someone further along the timeline of my galaxy than I am was learning of his eventual demise.

video; un: TripleJ

[kyley_b]

Uhhhhhhhhhhh.

Doooooooo you need a hug?

[HELPFUL.]

[survivalthroughhate]

No.

[Sorry Kyle. Maul could sorely use one right now but he's not going to make things that easy for people, not after just having some of his memories on display for everyone to see.]

Voice; un: ...

[opress]

[Savage had lived two of those experiences with his brother, and it was interesting to see the first from his brother's perspective. It gave him an idea of the higher finesse for fighting the Mandalorian leader. He wished he had pushed to learn more from his brother back then.

Of course, that accidental show of memory paled in comparison to the one where he died. He, of course, hadn't realized Maul had called him 'brother' given the difference in their positions at the time. Had he really been that weak to be easily overcome by his brother's Master? Some of the motions seemed like he had lost much of the techniques he had practiced over and over....

He felt a wave of self-loathing, a deep anger at himself that he hadn't been better. The Spare.]

Brother. You should be careful of your memories.

[His voice was rough, strained with a brewing anger. Not at Maul, of course.]

How I failed you.

[survivalthroughhate]

I don't know what happened. Venge doesn't know either.

[He'd questioned the maalraas repeatedly after the video had broadcast but they seemed to have no idea as to what had caused them to suddenly start showing Maul's memories.

His voice is choked with emotion when Savage mentioned he failed him. Even now, such words cause the old familiar pain to arise in Maul. The fact his brother had been brought back to him here only eased some of it, but the tangle of sorrow, grief, and guilt could never fully go away.]

You didn't-- You never failed me.

[His next words were so soft they could barely be heard.]

I should have protected you better.

Video: UN - Runeseeker

[onerthes]

[Maul was going to be getting two messages from the ladies momentarily, because of course he was. For Vira-Lorr? These memories were both ... not ones she had seen, and also not ones that she was particularly surprised by. The image of Palpatine was clear enough to match the little that she'd gauged, especially with the way that he wielded force lightning. No, all of this, right down to the brutality that Maul was capable of? It sounded about right, and normal.]

Ngh, so our memories are being toyed with again? Good to know, I suppose.

[Lovely, and she didn't even realize that she'd just infected her own omni for the next month did she?]

Well, while it's nothing I've seen, I can't say that the sights are things I wouldn't expect from our conversations in the past. This world does seem to like making you relive these sights doesn't it?

[Her tone was a little cooler, more distant than it had been in the past. The issue with Annakin had tempered a few of her views. However, it had been months, and nobody had come out even harder in his condemnation. People had worked to deal with the situation and Annakin wasn't blowing up on the network. she was currently hoping her companion had truly learned his lesson.]

[survivalthroughhate]

Perhaps it thinks I shall learn something from repeated viewings.

[Maul's not sure what's supposed to be happening here. Was he supposed to get desensitized to the horrors of his life by having them be replayed over and over again? If so, it certainly wasn't working. If anything, watching his brother's death might have broken Maul down in a way he hasn't had happen in quite a long time here in Trench or even back in Deerington.]

Private - Text: UN - IceCream

[threelayers]

[Unlike Vira-Lorr, however, Neo was a bit more of the private sort. The only thing they had in common? She wasn't surprised by any of it. Then again, both of them had lived lives full of people whipping power back and forth and doing horrible things. She didn't expect this to be any different.

How she addressed stress, though...]

Need to blow off some steam?

[Yep, definitely different approach to some.]

[survivalthroughhate]

Not right now.

[Most of the time, Maul was always ready to go out and kill something. But right now he just wanted to hide out at home and pretend watching this hadn't hurt almost as much as living it the first time around.]

If you don't mind me asking a small favor? Would you mind bringing over some food? I would be eternally grateful. This misery has made me completely inadequate for the task of cooking.

Video; UN: Cuddlebunny

[lightthedarkness]

[It's not that she doesn't know, she does, better than most. But being told about it and seeing it play out are two different things. She doesn't even hesitate as she packs a bag of things before slinging it over her shoulder.]

I'm coming over, don't you dare say no.

[survivalthroughhate]

I'm not.

[And that's how Usagi will know this has affected Maul badly. A Maul who still has some fight left in him will be snarling and angry, lashing out because he's hurt. It's when he just curls up all sad and full of grief, only answering laconically that one knows something is wrong.]

video, un: GoldenFlowers

[the_obedient_servant]

[The memory does make Chara grimace, the slightest bit. They don't react with outright horror like anyone with a heart might, but they can agree that it's tasteless more than anything else.

Sidious is a demon. Not a monster, not like Maul is. A demon who causes suffering for no reason other than that he can. They have no questions about such a person, they are well familiar with the type.]

Well, the first battle was very impressive. [Think about the victories, and not the defeats. It's the kindest that they're capable of being.]

[survivalthroughhate]

[He appreciates that Chara doesn't point out anything about the second memory. Almost three years later and the memory of losing his brother felt just as raw at is had at the time it happened. Better to focus on the high point that had come before.]

Mandalorians are always a tough lot. But still no match compared to a Sith Lord. That was a very fun bout. I always was amused his second-in-command immediately declared me an illegitimate ruler after I won according to their own rules. Apparently, the live and die by the sword mantra Death Watch was so fond of only applies to her if she's on the winning side.

action

[distant_one]

[D is a hunter by trade and has the instincts of a predator made to hunt people. It doesn't take him very long to locate Maul when he decides to do so.

Rather than address the recent strange involuntary sharing, D pulls several thin wooden needles from one of the pockets of his great coat, each nearly a foot long each.]

Do you know how to throw darts?

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul's in his front yard, brushing out Slicer's fur. He's been staying close to his house, not really willing to venture out forth into the city when he's feeling so broken down right now. Not much can keep him down for long but reliving the death of his brother? Yes, that will do it.

When D appears, Maul is glad for the distraction. He shakes his head.]

I do not.

[ audio | un: keith ]

[tempredmental]

So... another way for this place to drag out all our best memories for everyone to see, huh?

[It was a sarcastic question. Keith was less than thrilled about the idea this might happen to him (which it most certainly will now). Remembering that Maul had seen his own Garrison memories with Shiro, he was pretty sure the other wasn't going to want to really talk about this sort of thing...]

[survivalthroughhate]

This place seeks to make us as miserable as possible. Why should right now be any different?

[There's not nearly as much bite as there usually is to Maul's words. It looks like this is finally the thing which has broken the Zabrak down mentally.]

(private) audio | un: graham crackers

[possessum]

( None of the memories being exposed on the network lately are pleasant to see. But this one.....

It's a strange paradox of emotions for Peter. The first memory is like getting to see the epitome of his fear of Maul playing out before him: the way he fights, the brutality. An immensely powerful person sitting on a throne... Peter's shuddering violently, anxiety spiking; he almost turns this off.

Then comes the next memory. And it's..... seeing a completely different side to Maul, one that Peter's gotten to glimpse in recent times, but never on full display. Never like this.

Peter's met Savage for himself by now, and now he watches Maul's younger brother die. Watches his murder. Watches Maul scream in pain, begging as he's tortured. Peter's sick, eyes filled with hot tears, throat slick, tasting bile. He sits there, shaking: no longer with fear, but upset. For everything that Maul might have done over these years, Peter knows he's not just some monster. He knows he's the product of his environment, of the adults that shaped him, broke him, just like Peter—

—But seeing this play out is.... it's almost unbearable. He doesn't know what to say or do; he can only sit there for a long time afterwards. Finally, he calls the man. It's the first time Peter's ever done it, ever willingly approached him first, in that way. )

Maul? This is... Peter.

( He sounds nervous, which isn't unusual for him, but... there's something else there. An upset, voice slightly nasally and wet, like he's a little teary, throat a bit tight and strained. The ache isn't for himself, though. )

I saw...... I saw what your Omen posted. I'm sorry. I didn't— No one should have seen that. I'm... I'm really sorry.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul has received messages from a lot of people reaching out. Most of them are close to him. While he and Peter (and Paimon) have a strange relationship, it's never been warm or kind. Not until their last conversation when Maul and he had finally begun to communicate in a way both of them could understand. So while Maul isn't exactly happy to hear from the teen, neither does he ignore the audio coming through.

He's learned just enough about Peter now to know his apologies for what happened to Maul are not driven by pity or contempt. He's very empathetic, this strange, nervous teen, and he feels Maul's pain as surely as if it had happened to himself.

Rather than lashing out as he's so prone to doing and has done with the boy in the past, he's subdued and quiet when he answers.]

Now you understand how a small child can be molded into a monster over the course of a lifetime.

[What people were seeing was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to the horrifying relationship between him and Sidious.]