survivalthroughhate: ([TCW 84] Put out)
(Darth) Maul ([personal profile] survivalthroughhate) wrote in [community profile] deernet2022-05-23 06:55 pm

Accidental Video; un: darkness

[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!]
ezra_of_lothal: (dark thoughts by malagraphic)

Video; un: lothrat

[personal profile] ezra_of_lothal 2022-05-24 01:50 pm (UTC)(link)
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.))
Edited 2022-05-24 14:09 (UTC)
abornfighter: (looking over)

[Video] un: QueenCobra

[personal profile] abornfighter 2022-05-24 02:10 pm (UTC)(link)
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.]

abornfighter: (concern)

[Video] un: QueenCobra

[personal profile] abornfighter 2022-05-24 02:12 pm (UTC)(link)
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.
ezra_of_lothal: (you think by malagraphic)

[personal profile] ezra_of_lothal 2022-05-24 02:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah. Darth Sidious. That's his Sith name. Also known as Sheev Palaptine. Or, in my lifetime, the Emperor.

All round bad news.
abornfighter: (raised eyebrow)

[personal profile] abornfighter 2022-05-24 02:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, the guy you stood up to with the space whales. Yikes. The guy seems like living, breathing nightmare fuel.
ezra_of_lothal: (half smirk by malagraphic)

[personal profile] ezra_of_lothal 2022-05-24 02:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[The corner of his mouth twitches into a sliver of a smile, pleased that she remembered and put that together.]

Same guy, yep. Totally nightmare fuel. But also good at fooling people, apparently.

I'm sure there's worse out there, in the big, wide cosmos.
fogsong: (91)

audio | private | un: sds

[personal profile] fogsong 2022-05-24 02:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[ 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.
abornfighter: (ugggh)

[personal profile] abornfighter 2022-05-24 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Maybe there's a place like Trench that's only for completely evil people. They'd deserve each other.
hopesparks: (Default)

private - text; un: a.solo

[personal profile] hopesparks 2022-05-24 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Don't take on too much.

You okay?
ezra_of_lothal: (you think by malagraphic)

Text; un: lothrat [Private]

[personal profile] ezra_of_lothal 2022-05-24 07:42 pm (UTC)(link)
I think so.

Ok, I'll admit, seeing Sidious in full combat mode is pretty unnerving. I only talked to him the once via holocall. I always knew I'd have been dead meat if we'd been face to face, but it's another thing to see exactly why.
ezra_of_lothal: (glancing over unhappy by malgraphic)

[personal profile] ezra_of_lothal 2022-05-24 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
My head says wishing that sort of place on anyone isn't compassionate.

But I'd be lying if I said I didn't get the appeal on some level.
abornfighter: (closed off)

[personal profile] abornfighter 2022-05-24 08:01 pm (UTC)(link)
You don't have to be compassionate toward someone who has made a galaxy full of people suffer, Ezra.

[How many billions, or even trillions of lives were impacted by one evil man?]

Besides, if they're all evil, maybe they'd enjoy being in a place where they could plot against each other and compete to see who the biggest bad in the multiverse is.
ezra_of_lothal: (Default)

---> [Private]

[personal profile] ezra_of_lothal 2022-05-24 08:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Hah. [Dry amusement flickers across his face.] Maybe they would like it.

[Then he flips the conversation to private.]

Maul's made entire planets suffer. And, not the version here - he's too young - eventually he made me and family suffer.

Then there's Sidious's last apprentice, the one who stood beside him to make the galaxy suffer, my entire life. [He sighs heavily.] He was a Jedi. He's - he's family. In every sense but blood.

Sure, Maul and the man who became Darth Vader were manipulated and groomed from the time they were little kids, but-

Seems like a pretty arbitrary line for me to draw. Every monster that's mortal was just a kid, at some point.
kyley_b: https://sleepyeule.tumblr.com/ (shook)

video; un: TripleJ

[personal profile] kyley_b 2022-05-24 08:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Uhhhhhhhhhhh.

Doooooooo you need a hug?

[HELPFUL.]
abornfighter: (sad)

[Private]

[personal profile] abornfighter 2022-05-24 08:43 pm (UTC)(link)
I suppose that's true. It's kind of you to be able to see things that way. I'm not saying don't show compassion. I'm just saying it's okay if you're having trouble mustering any for a particular someone. Especially if they're as bad as Sidious.

He was probably a nightmare to train under.
ezra_of_lothal: (yeesh by malagraphic)

[Private]

[personal profile] ezra_of_lothal 2022-05-24 09:02 pm (UTC)(link)
A year or so ago, if you'd told me I'd be considering what level of compassion I wanted to extend to Sidious, I'd have laughed in your face. I don't except everyone to draw the line even close to as far as I do.

But I do have to put some thought into where I want to draw it.

[Especially when he's literally cohabitating with Anakin Skywalker.]

I've talked to Savage - have you met him yet? - about some of the ways he was trained under Maul and Dooku. And just that stuff...Yeesh. I have to assume Sidious was much worse.

The older version of Maul got pretty fixated on me being his apprentice. Let's just say I'm glad that never really happened. [Fuel for a number of his actual nightmares.]
abornfighter: (pause)

[Private]

[personal profile] abornfighter 2022-05-24 09:13 pm (UTC)(link)
I've been working on my anger problems. Started back home and I'm continuing it here. My powers react to my needs and emotions if I'm not careful. And I get why compassion is important. Someone showing me compassion was what helped me start to improve. I think in a place like this, where corruption can warp people into something they're not, being kind is one of the best things you can do to help keep people from getting worse.

I haven't met Savage yet, no. I did talk to Maul about a bit of what I learned about anger management and he was open to learning more about it.
hopesparks: (21)

[personal profile] hopesparks 2022-05-24 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah.

He always had Vader do his dirty work.

I never thought of him as being as strong.

Strong in the Force, I mean.

Why did he call you?
ezra_of_lothal: (ooooooh by malagraphic)

Re: [Private]

[personal profile] ezra_of_lothal 2022-05-24 11:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ezra just...stares for a moment, before he says, with sincere emphasis-]

Tory, that's amazing. [Then he blinks and shakes his head.] That Maul was willing to listen and open to learning more, I mean. He's told me recently that he seeks balance rather than everything he was taught as a Sith, but still. You must have made a really good pitch.

And I hear you on living with anger and learning how to deal with it being a work in progress. I. Uh. Well, I don't think older Maul would have ever wanted me as an apprentice if he didn't see enough anger in me to draw power from.

Which I have done, and told myself it was ok, because I was only using it against Imperial soldiers. But with powers like mine - and maybe yours, it sounds like? It's not that simple.
ezra_of_lothal: (I hear you by malagraphic)

[personal profile] ezra_of_lothal 2022-05-25 12:34 am (UTC)(link)
[Maul isn't really wrong in his assessment, but Ezra does know the value of shutting up and just being present, or listening, too.]

...I know there's nothing to fix. What happened, happened.

Sometimes saying stuff out loud helps. And sometimes saying stuff out loud to someone you know is listening, or can relate, even a tiny bit, is better.

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