deernet | Video; un: darkness

[The video starts off with Maul looking angry, as he usually does, and he starts in with no introduction or insults. There’s a definite sense one gets watching that he’s doing his best to keep himself from pissing off the population at large.]

It appears that recently there was a misunderstanding over who had killed someone named Flynn. I am here to make it clear that was not me. While I have no issues with being accused of things I have actually done, I won’t stand for people speculating that I am the cause of all your miseries here--

[He pauses, visibly restraining himself from saying anything further that he knows won’t help his cause here.]

--But no matter. I knew who actually did it and so I have brought the miscreant forth to tell you himself.

[He nods to someone off-screen and Savage comes forward with Anakin. He has his lightsaber pointed at his throat.

The effects of bloodsport and corruption have started leaving their marks on Anakin. Despite the lightsaber held against him, he’s still twitchy with pent up energy. In addition he’s flushed with fever. He stares at Maul blankly, not understanding what’s going on here.]

Are you going to kill me again?

[Maul shakes his head no, pointing to Venge who is currently broadcasting the video.]

Not if you cooperate. Now, tell the people here what you did at the Gate.

[He looks at Savage.]

Cut his hand off if he refuses to cooperate. I’ve no patience for playing games today.

[A smirk appeared on Savage’s lips, and he lowered the lit end of his saberstaff downwards to make it clear that the threat would be carried out without question. His mechanical hand tightened on Anakin to prevent much squirming.

Anakin winces as the metal parts in his hand grind together. Maintenance wasn’t as easy.]

So if I say whatever you want me to I get to go? [Turning directly to face the camera.] Whatever he said, it was me. It was all me. I did it.

[Maul nods in satisfaction. He figures that’s as good as they’re gonna get on any coherency from Anakin.]

There, you see? It wasn’t me.

[Then he turns to Savage.]

Let him go.

[Honestly, the fact Maul isn’t about to execute Anakin on the network is a bigger sign he’s sincere about this than anything else. He never would have been willing to let Anakin go after having to deal with such a problem a year or two ago.

Savage growled as he turned his saberstaff off, then moved to seize Anakin to drag him off screen to be set free. As promised.]

[Red=Maul, Blue=Anakin. Any of the three are available for replies!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Well, at least he's not executing people outright on the network like he promised to in Deerington. That's.....something, at least??]

What would you have suggested? Asking him nicely to tell the network what he'd done? I did and he ignored me like the fool he is. So this is the only way I knew how to deal with things to clear my name and stop having it be dragged through the mud. Simply telling people wouldn't have made them believe me. You know no one would have. Now you're saying having him confess won't make them believe me either. What, exactly then, was a good solution here?

[ Maybe it's baby steps, but it's baby steps to get out of hell ]

You know, that is a pretty tricky situation!

[ Boy, this is why he almost didn't respond to this, because it is hard. It's hard and it's fraught and Wu really wasn't a government official for long, so why is he an expert here?

Probably because he's basically a pacifist and believes in restorative justice, which was sorely lacking in Deerington ]

It sounds like you and he have some history, so, um, it might have been good to use a mediator to try and get through to him without, ah, that history getting in the way. You want to clear your name, which I totally understand! But I don't think that this was the way to do it. You kind of made yourself look more guilty because you threatened him, and because you admitted to having killed him before, even if you are innocent of this most recent crime.

[ Wouldn't it be nice if people just stopped killing each other? A guy can dream. ]

Politics is all about appearances. You have to think about how you're coming across, what message you're sending with how you're saying things. And how you said this? Pretty rough, buddy. Pretty rough.

Skywalker listens to no one. That's part of his problem. The only one who he might possibly listen to would be Obi-Wan and I was trying to spare my old foe the pain of knowing someone that is like family to him had been the first person to kill someone here.

[......What an odd show of mercy for someone who was usually so ragey. Could it be Maul actually has a pair of hearts under all the anger and snark?]

There was no other way to get him to confess! He never would have done it on his own so this was the only solution.

[He feels he's behaved enough for today and so he's digging his heels in. When he speaks again, it's much quieter and with a sulky tone.]

I already come across as a monster to half the populace here. What difference does it make how I tarnish my reputation further?

[But the very fact Maul was even trying to redeem his image with this post says something to those that know him better.]

Edited (change of phrase) 2021-09-28 20:11 (UTC)

That's kind of you. Your interpersonal relationships are really complicated!

[ Like, maybe, how his would be if Kuvira ever showed up here. But he doesn't want to put that idea into the universe, no thank you! ]

Okay, okay! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, to assume. It just was a lot to see. And a little scary.

I don't know if that's true. Some people do, but you have friends here, Maul. I've seen it! People care about you, even if you make mistakes. We all do.

[Maul chuckles grimly.]

You have no idea.

[The Star Wars cast is basically one big space opera where everyone is interconnected with everyone else and it's all as dramatic as possible.]

Then why does it seem like everyone else gets as many chances as it takes to fix their mistakes besides me? People tell me to change and then tell me I'm not doing it the right way. Or rather their way as if it's the only right one there is. I wish everyone would make up their damn minds already!

I think it's the threats that people aren't, um, super happy with?

There isn't just one way to do things, but most people here, they don't really subscribe to death penalties and, ah, torture. I think if you stay away from resorting to threatening to hurt, hurting, or killing people, you'd probably be okay?

And if you don't do those things, and people are still telling you you're doing things wrong, well-- maybe you're just doing them your own way! I think it's okay to do things your own way as long as you're not hurting others.

Unfortunately, I struggle with dealing with problems or conflict in a way that doesn't involve those three things. That’s how I’ve always dealt with them throughout my entire life. My master made me believe it was the only way to deal with problems given what he wanted me to be.

[A weapon is what Maul means. For a weapon, hurting and killing people was just the usual tools he used to get through a day. Even after all these years later, he can’t really let go of such a mindset.]

Just doing this much is far out of my comfort zone. And still I am told it is not right. My patience is not great and I do not have it in me for many attempts before I shall grow tired of trying a different way only to be told it is not enough.

Improving is admirable! But, Maul, you won't be good at something you've never done right away. That isn't how it works, it is hard! And I'm so glad you're working on it.

I think people aren't giving you much space to improve because hurting and killing people-- most of us were taught that that's wrong. That's what I was taught, mostly, and what a lot of people I know were taught, too. So for us, even this improvement is still in the "bad" category.

And that doesn't help! I know it doesn't. But, I'll try to give you more space, okay? With that context, I think you're doing great. You really are. I'm proud of you!

Hmph. [Just ignore Maul being grumpy. He’s been told that already by multiple people that he can’t expect perfection instantly, but it’s still galling to hear. At least he’s not about to argue the point too much.]

Hmph. [He grumbles again but this time at least looks less grumbly about it.] I’m glad at least someone sees it that way. I don’t need more people telling me, “You’re not doing good enough no matter how hard you try.” Hearing that isn’t good motivation for wanting to continue down this path.

I-- honestly? I know how that feels. [ He smiles softly, sadly, at Maul ] It's really demotivating when you're working against standards that, that seem impossible or that you don't understand. I mean, you know that I'm a King, back home. Every single thing I did was debated and critiqued, and I just had to hold on to what I thought was right, and having people who supported me really helped, too. But, it wasn't always like that. There were times when I felt so alone, when I was trying to change things and no one around me agreed, they thought I was too young and idealistic, and-- well. I don't really know how it will turn out, but I hope well.

You have to do what you feel is right, I suppose. I, I mean, I'm not condoning killing people. But you're on a good path, even if there are missteps every once in a while.

I think you're still too idealistic. [Maul says bluntly.] But at least it seems now you don't second-guess your decision making process if what I have seen is any indication.

There will be many more missteps before I am through. Of this, I am certain. I just hope there are others here as forgiving as you and others that care about me are.

[But Maul has great doubts about that. He's burned too many bridges in Deerington for them to ever see him as anything but an irredeemable monster that just wants to set the world on fire.]

Video; un: darkness

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