ezra_of_lothal | Deer Country Inbox

That's me. And you're Ritsuka, yeah?

[He offers a small smile, eyes alert and intent.]

What's up?

Obi-Wan-san said you had a sword that could sever bonds, would... that is... [Crap he should have done this in text, this is so difficult to ask but he felt something like this should be done in person... or as much in person as he can.]

I was wondering if I could ask you to use it... on... me.

I do and we can use it to cut a bond you don't want, yes. [No hesitation. He has...many questions, but he keeps them to himself for the moment.]

In fact, you can be the one to wield it. If you'd prefer. I do ask that you use it with someone present who can help you, if needed. Ideally, someone we both trust not to try to take the sword and misuse it.

[He figures the only person on both their lists for that is Obi-wan. But he'd take other suggestions.]

Someone said I would have my emotions taken from me, is that true?

[Was it really worth it if he couldn't FEEL anymore?

But then again, maybe it was worth not feeling anything anymore.]

Hmm. The sword can do that sort of damage. Cut away memories, or emotions you have towards memories or people.

But that should take a concerted effort. The other person I gave the sword to cut a bond he didn't want - he focused on solely the bond. He's still, uh, vividly angry about how that bond happened, so that seems a reasonable indicator only the bond was cut, yeah?

I will say he was trained as a Jedi. I don't know how that might have factored into the results.

IT CAN TAKE MY MEMORIES!?

[Ritsuka suddenly goes into a panic. He either has to live with this bond with Maul or lose more of his memories?]

[Ezra sucks in his breath slowly.]

According to commentary in the Archives the sword is capable of cutting away pretty much any part of your psyche. It can also bring people back from beasthood. In theory.

In what I have actually observed, intent when you use the sword matters, very much.

[It's just as well Ezra stays calm because Ritsuka is about to have a panic attack. He's hyperventilating and it's only with Ezra maintaining even breathing that Ritsuka doesn't spiral. No no no no, he can't lose more memories.]

I wasn't okay with the idea of losing emotions, I'm less okay with the idea of losing memories. I don't know if... if I can't stop my mind from wandering when it matters.

[Ezra's lips switch in a small grimace of sympathy.]

I lost years of memories for a while a couple of months ago, and it was very not okay. The only reason I didn't just...try to disappear and hide from every one was Obi-wan was there and I had enough memories of him that, uh, fit. Enough to trust him.

I'd say it's your bond so you're the best one to cut it but - do you know if this bond is something Obi-wan can sense?

[He's silent for a long minute. He hasn't told... anyone this here, not WILLINGLY... but...]

I've... [He took a very deep breath.] ... I've lost the first 10 years of my life. [Ezra may or may not notice that Ritsuka is all of 12.] And I haven't gotten them back.

No one can bring them back.

And I don't know, I know... I know MAUL can so I don't doubt Obi-Wan-san can. [Ritsuka finds Obi-Wan to literally be the MOST competent, so whatever Maul is barely capable of, Obi-Wan can do in spades as far as Ritsuka is concerned.]

[Softly-]

You don't want to lose even a second more of what memories you have.

[His expression firm up into determination.]

If Maul can sense it, I bet any trained Force user can, especially if they know what they're looking for.

[In Ezra's estimation Maul is powerful in his way. Deadly. But not terribly great at using the Force aside from fighting and breaking things. And yes, he knows for fact Obi-wan can has or will take Maul down in multiple fights, so he's limited even in that.

Another slow breath in.]

Can I ask - this isn't a blood bond? It's some other sort of psychic bond?

No... I don't... [He lets out a long breath.] What little I have left are precious to me, even the bad ones but especially... especially GOOD ones...

[His ears press back against his head.]

It's not a blood bond... I'm... well, it's something from my world. It's psychic, emotional, and physical. I'm a Sacrifice. If I make a strong bond with someone, then I amplify whatever powers they have... and... I take on any damage they receive in a fight. The thing is... the bond doesn't CARE if it's good or bad, just... strong. And the one made between Maul and I is made from antagonizing.

[Ezra's eyes widen in alarm. Sacrifice is...a hell of a label, and one he's reflexively suspicious of - it sounds like exactly the sort of label you box someone in with if you want to narrow down their choices.]

...And I thought the bond I had with the older version of Maul sucked.

Ritsuka - [He frowns, trying to figure out how to phrase this.]

If you feel strongly about Maul still, would the bond just come back eventually? That can be part of how Force bonds work. Which is part of why I try to deal with Maul only in small doses.

I... don't know. I don't know enough about the bonds to know if it would come back after being severed. I was just... at the time I was just willing to deal with it until the sword got brought up.

I told Maul to leave me alone and never contact me, but if this place is anything like Deerington, it's going to do everything it can to shove us together.

Yeah, that's - [Erza sighs.] How this place works, sometimes.

Ok. The sword is an option. I think it should work at least temporarily, even making a....very quick cut, so to speak.

I unfortunately don't know of any other ways to sever a bond that would work in this situation, and I did a lot of research on blood bonds, at least, before I found out how the sword works.

Picking who you want to wield it, also options.

I want Obi-Wan-san! [He says it as soon as Ezra even mentions 'who wields it' his mouth is moving. He blushes and his ears flatten.]

Sorry, I mean... I just... I trust Obi-Wan-san. And I know he's very skilled with the lightsaber.

[Ezra shakes his head.] I'm not offended.

It would be a dick move to get mad at you for making a choice like this for yourself.

[He thinks it is the better choice, anyway. Obi-wan knows Ritsuka better, and is just more experienced, period.]

All the same, thank you. [Ritsuka is... much more used to the offer being given and then the other being offended when it's taken, or not taken, in some cases.]

You'd be- well, maybe not, but I've had enough get exactly that when it came to my decisions.

You're welcome.

And yeah, I've experienced that sort of thing, too. [He's met even worse versions of Maul, after all.]

Do you want to talk to Obi-wan about this stuff, or should I loop him in?

I can contact him, the favor... is for me, so I should be the one to ask.

Alright.

I'm perfectly willing to simply loan Obi-wan the sword for this, by the way. I don't have to be there, at all. But I don't mind coming if you want a...third party spotter.

.... You... You can be there. More... more people might not... be a bad thing.

[Why is this so hard to open up about?]

[His tone light and easy-]

Then I'll be there.

... Right... kay... I-I'll call you later when I get a hold of Obi-Wan-san and Maul.

[And with that, he hangs up.]

Deer Country Inbox

Video; UN Bridger

Video; UN Bridger

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject