deernet | [Accidental Video] UN: JustLuke

[ CW: Character death. ]

[ The video comes in sharp and suddenly all over the omnis, the viewpoint jagged and bouncing, full of ragged breaths and the sharp glare of fires springing out from metal panels. People in black and grey uniforms and white armor were running around the viewer, ignoring them entirely as they struggled with something heavy -- a person, judging from the wheezing sound that was loud gasping in the viewer's ear. Grey halls struggled by as they moved, circuitry popping out of walls and smoking, before they finally emerged out into a massive hanger. Most of the uniformed individuals were running for ships, but one stood apart from the others -- a tri-winged ship, with one central fin sticking straight up from the main body and two others folded over on the sides. The viewer paused to let out a tired, ragged breath... and finally looked over to the person they were carrying. ]

[ Even bent over and huddled close to the viewer, the black death mask of Darth Vader was both recognizable and absolutely terrifying. The sharp, electronic wheeze was coming from did not sound remotely okay, nor did the right arm that he had tucked tight against the control box on his chest, with burnt wires hanging limply from a stump where a hand used to be. There was the sound of a deep breath, the viewer steeling themselves, before they turned their gaze ahead, starting forward once more. ]

[ It was clear that the person was beyond exhausted at this point, however. The view of the hanger wavered slightly now and then, the image shaking as something behind them rumbled, before finally the whole area shook from an impact, sending the view tumbling around as the person hit the floor. A loud thunk came from beside them as Darth Vader hit the ground as well, the dark lord coming into view as the person rolled up, back to their feet. There was an urgency now as the person didn't even pause to get their breath back, grabbing Vader's arms and dragging him, hurrying as fast as they could to the ship, not stopping until the dark lord was propped up against the boarding ramp. ]

[ The viewer shifted around, coming down like they were getting ready to lift Vader up again, lifting him up by his shoulder, only to be stopped. ]

Luke... help me take... this mask off.

[ The viewer -- Luke himself -- froze at the request, a shuddering breath escaping from him. ]

But you'll die.

Nothing... can stop that now. Just for once, let me... look on you with my own eyes.

[ There was a clear hesitance in Luke despite the view of the scene coming from his eyes, before he nodded, propping Vader up enough so he could reach up and grasp his helm. A hiss escaped as he lifted up, exposing the complicated workings of the mask underneath, and Luke set it aside in favor of peering around, trying to see how the mask came off. He figured it out soon enough, reaching behind and pulling back, taking the mask away... ]

[ And revealing the face of Anakin Skywalker. ]

[ The face was heavily marred, deeply scarred and completely hairless, skin paled from two decades of being hidden in the dark. Yet still, blue, slightly pale eyes glimmered from deeply set eyes as Anakin gazed up at his son, and the view of him started to get hazy as Luke struggled against tears, finally able to see the face of his father. ]

Now... go, my s-son. Leave me.

[ He was choking, unable to breathe, just barely able to get the words he wanted to say out. Luke's vision cleared as tears fell from him shaking his head. ]

No, you're coming with me. I'll not leave you here, I've got to save you.

[ Anakin just smiled, straining slightly from the effort. ]

You already have... Luke... You were right. You where right about me. Tell your sister... you were right...

[ The last word came out with a rasping breath, and Anakin started to fall back, unable to keep himself up anymore. ]

Father--! I won't leave you--!

[ It was too late. ]

[ With one last, almost relieved sigh, Anakin Skywalker fell still against the boarding ramp. The view of his still body blurred immediately with Luke's grief. A gloved hand slid down Vader's armor, before the image turned dark, with only the sound of Luke's shuddering breath as he struggled not to openly weep. ]

[ The dark fades away, leaving Luke standing in front of the omni in stunned silence. Tears were falling from his eyes, though he didn't seem completely aware of them as his mouth moved, struggling to say something, anything, about the deeply personal memory that was just broadcasted for all of Trench to see. ]

[ Finally, he clicked his mouth shut, quietly reaching over and deactivating the omni without saying anything. ]

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[ Oops; Luke could sense Maul's distress easily enough, and then his slight poking and prodding as he tried to find where he was. He hadn't meant for him to get that worried, and tried to send back assurances that he was fine, that he just needed some time to collect himself, but a funny thing happened when you didn't take the time to healthily deal with your emotions: it made the sudden influx of them hard to control. ]

[ He let out a sigh as he finally gave up, gently nudging Maul to his little place he went when he wanted some time alone from others, realizing that trying to keep such a place a secret had definitely been a futile thing with so many Force users around (and Reaper, somehow). It was a small home with an extra emphasis on humble, run down but clearly fixed up in places that mattered, far away from others yet close enough that Luke could come to the rescue if it was needed. ]

[ By the time Maul could make it there, Luke had managed to get his tears under control, though the signs of them were still there: red, puffy eyes, stained cheeks. He sat waiting for him on the small porch of the home, looking up and giving him a watery smile. ]

Sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry.

[Maul tracked down where Luke was, ignoring any protests he might feel as an emotion through the Force. Luke clearly needed use some comfort right now, and while Maul might have be terrible at it, he could at least try in this case. When he found where Luke was holed up, he was unsurprised at the type of house that he had chosen for himself to use when he wasn't bouncing around between various homes in Trench.

There was something in the way Luke looks that reminded Maul distinctly of Obi-Wan, that ability to try and smile through the pain even if their heart was breaking. Granted, the older Jedi was much better at it than Luke was, especially given way Luke looked right now like he'd been crying his eyes out.]

I am not very good at this sort of thing but..... [Maul paused and his next words were very awkward.] .....Would you like a hug?

[ Luke froze at that, looking at Maul like he had just grown two other heads. He blinked rapidly, really not wanting to be rude, but at the same time he wanted to ask him who he was and what did he do with the former Sith Lord. His mouth worked a few times, trying to think of a response, and coming up completely empty. ]

[ He shoulders finally slumped as he gave up, and he looked up at Maul with something akin to puppy eyes. ]

...yes please.

[If there was one person in Trench was the master of having big sad eyes with a long sad story to go along with them, it was Luke Skywalker. Even Maul was not immune to them. He sat down and wordlessly pulled Luke into a long hug. It was about as awkward and stiff as one would expect from someone as unused to giving them as the Sith Lord was but it still counted for something.]

[ Luke smiled weakly at first, though it slowly became a bit warmer as the hug continued. He gave him a squeeze after a moment, as if indicating that no, really, it was okay to pull away now. ]

You're really bad at this.

[ Look, Maul had to expect him to be brutally honest at this point. Still, the warmth of his smile was a clear indication how much he appreciated the effort. ]

Thank you.

Yes, I know. I'm not like Usagi.

[Who frankly gave the best hugs Maul had ever experienced in his life. She'd even managed to calm him down from an Obi-Wan obsessed revenge rampage he'd been about to go on in Deerington just with nothing more than a firm hug, so clearly her powers extended far beyond just being a magical girl.]

Are you going to need more time to cry?

No, I'm fine now. Just...

[ He let out a breath, glancing off to the side and debating a moment. He knew Maul and his father didn't have the best relationship -- he was surprised his father had any positive relationships, if he was honest -- so he wasn't sure if he should even mention the disastrous conversation he had with the man after. Maul certainly was bound not to take it well, and... well, he could only imagine how his father would react to him just off and sharing it. ]

[ After a moment, he just let out a sigh, opening up the conversation on his omni and just handing it over without a word. ]

[Maul read through the conversation between Anakin and Luke, scrolling more slowly than others would have due to the length of his claws. He started to scowl about halfway through and that expression was still on his face when he reached the end of the conversation. He growled, low and angry for a moment, before he reined himself in. He handed the Omni back to Luke.]

Have I mentioned lately that I think your father is a moron? You'd think he'd grow tired of these histrionics sooner or later.

[Maul was mad now, not for himself but on behalf of his young friend. He had no idea what it must have been like to have a parent be the same age as himself, and short of this place bringing such a version of Talzin or Palpatine (perish the thought) to him, he never would. But even so it was hard to see Anakin treat someone who had done nothing but love him like that.]

Despite what you might think, it's not your job to fix what's wrong with this version of him. And that is a lot. Whatever he needs to figure out has to be done on his own.

[ Luke let out a faint snort at Maul's reply, holding his omni gingerly in his hands. He stared down at it for a long moment, at the hurtful words flung at him -- it'd be better if we pretended not to know each other -- until they blurred together, and he realized he had tears in his eyes again. A despondent sigh escaped from him as he reached up, swiping them away almost angrily. ]

Thing is... he's right, in a way. I wish it was Vader that was here. At least then I would know I was loved, even if it was twisted and complicated.

[Maul patted Luke gently on the back, though still with that same awkwardness that came from someone not used to expressing kindness through gentle physical contact. But he was trying.]

Oh, he loves you. Of that I am certain.

[Maul said that with utter confidence.]

He's just acting like an idiot who has the moon in his hands and keeps throwing it away because he doesn't know what to do with it.

[ Luke let out a sigh at that, not really able to argue with him on that. He looked down at how the conversation ended, before he just tossed his omni to the side. ]

Must be a family trait.

He needs to do some growing up.

[At this point in time, Maul saw Anakin as basically being a twelve year old emotionally.]

If he ever manages to do so, most of his troubles will be solved.

Well, I'm sure he finds some way to grow up... just...

[ Luke shrugged slightly, waving a hand as if to indicate the everything that is Vader. ]

[ No, he doesn't realize he's giving his father too much credit. ]

[Maul snorted at the idea Anakin could ever truly grow up into an adult.]

I'm not so sure he finally matures as he stays stunted at the age he is...or was-- [Having people here from different time periods means finding proper tenses can be hard.] --when he fell to the Dark Side.

[Accidental Video] UN: JustLuke

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