Video; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

[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!]

Comments

[opress]

My brother has already proven himself an excellent leader of state where we are from. He ruled the main city of a planet well for a time.

[Until everything went south, but that was beyond Savage's scope. He had been killed.]

Trial by combat would be a good way to choose a ruler. Pick the strongest most cunning individual.

[royalfling]

Ah... perhaps that worked back where you're from, but somehow I don't think that Sleepers would be all too amenable to that way of deciding a leader!

But, maybe they would! I don't know, it's difficult to get anyone to agree to anything here.

[opress]

[Now they were talking!]

Exactly. No agreement necessary when brother defeats them to take his rightful place as leader. No one will ever be happy with one leader, so they may as well have one they can dislike but still remains effective.

[That's how politics works, right?]

[royalfling]

I... don't think that that sort of system would work here. A single leader, I don't think that's a good idea for so many reasons. For one, if this place is at all like Deerington, we could be gone at any moment. I've already heard of people returning to the ocean as squids. If that happened to a singular leader, we would be thrown into chaos.

And, we're all so different. One leader couldn't represent all Sleepers. We aren't from the same country, let alone the same world or even universe.

No. I think if your brother wants to help to lead, he'll need to be one of many.

[opress]

Are you saying you think this place would require a council of leadership? There's going to be differences in opinion; it's better to have a single vision. All the squabbling is pointless.

Those with power should lead. Those without need to fall in line.

I don't think you hugging it out will work.

[royalfling]

I have to disagree with you. This isn't about a vision, it's about justice and equality. It's about providing a fair trial when something awful happens, like this man dying, or what your brother did a few months ago. Instead of inflicting one idea of justice, which might have led to your brother's arrest or worse, it would be giving people the fairness of a jury of their peers.

Either way, it's just a theory for now. We do need people to step up and start this. People who will be listened to by all, or at least most, Sleepers. I hope that someone wants to take on that burden.

[opress]

In Deerington, many people were poisoned by that place and killed their friends, family and random strangers. They were forgiven apparently. How is that any kind of system to build justice on? It seems like popularity is the basis for forgiveness in many cases.

Are you willing to take on that burden?

[royalfling]

Ah, no. I was, in Deerington, but here? I've decided to leave my career in politics behind me. We're leading new lives here, and in mine, I'm choosing a different path.

However, I am still invested in creating a fair and just system. I realize that justice is difficult to mete out in such a strange situation. But I refuse to believe that it's impossible until we really try.

[opress]

So what is your path now?

Justice will never hold everyone to the same fairness for all. Bias will play in.

[royalfling]

[ Well, apparently they're having parallel conversations. Wu bobs his head a little ]

Bringing art to the people! In Deerington, there was never any time for art, but here I'm determined not to let people forget about beauty and art and enjoying themselves.

I know, but we can only try our best to create a society that is equitable.

[opress]

So you're going to paint?

You're strange.

[royalfling]

Paint? Oh, no. I'm not much of a painter! No, I'm working on a space where people can perform! Mostly music, but there will be space for paintings and things like that, too. I need live music.

[ He sighs heavily, shaking his head ]

I missed it so much in Deerington.

Do your people have a musical tradition?

[opress]

Perform... like sing and dance?

[Well... no one really asked that of him before.]

A little. Mostly storytelling.

[royalfling]

Yes! Or act, or tell stories or read poetry. I'm open to anything.

If you want to tell stories, I'd be happy to have you! The Raccoon Room is opening at the end of October.

[ A peace offering, if you will ]

[opress]

Why would I want to tell you stories?

[Those were private and on Dathomir, secrecy was the only way to live when regarding outsiders.]

[royalfling]

Well, not me specifically, but to perform them to the audience! It's a great way to share your culture and your talent.

But only if you want to, of course. Think about it.

[opress]

My culture is... private. We aren't allowed to discuss it with foreigners.

[royalfling]

Oh. Oh! Okay. Um. [ well this is awkward ] You don't have to share! That's, uh, fine.

Well, come by if you want to. Maybe you'll like the music.

[opress]

Doubtful.

[He'll probably show up and lurk in the shadows at least once to see if he did though. He wouldn't admit that.]