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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!]

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No offense, man. But I've faced way scarier than you.

[He says it in a droll way and it's true but that doesn't change that he knows Maul is very capable of eviscerating him with the right determination. So color him a teensy bit scared underneath, it's a healthy fear that'll keep him alive probably.]

And that sounds more like the kind of guy who felt like watching me get eaten was a good time. It's actually weirdly comforting to find out you're so consistent.

[Maul smiles, an expression filled with a very large amount of sharp teeth.]

Then clearly I haven’t been trying hard enough.

[Just because Maul is trying to be different doesn’t mean he’s not going to relish in having the populace fear him.]

I am predictable in certain ways. Not so much in others. But you seem to be catching on quickly.

[Lance snort-laughs at that.]

Dude, that's like such a movie villain line. [He chuckles and shakes his head.] And what can I say? I'm a fast learner. Go on and teach me anything, I'll become an expert right before your eyes.

[It's not even a boast, though he definitely treats it like one. He does actually pick up on things that interest him or if he's forced to startlingly quick for someone who comes off like an airhead sometimes.]

Well, it makes sense. I am told I am from a fictional movie series on some versions of Earth.

[So of course Maul was always going to be dramatic as fuck given his source material.]

Oh? How skilled are you at swordfighting?

[......This line of questioning will only lead somewhere good of course.]

Yeah, I've seen them, that's why it's hilarious because I can't remember you ever talking in them.

[He just remembers the silent scary devil man coming for tiny darth vader. That was pretty freaky to him when he was a kid.]

Oh I can totally hold my own.

[He brags a bit, but he has no idea what he's stepping into right now.]

Maybe I merely had nothing to say then.

[Maul had been far quieter in his youth than he is currently. Thirteen years of no one to talk to but himself as his sanity deteriorated had unlocked his chatty potential.]

Now that is something I would like to see given my own skills with a blade.

[Another far too eager toothy smile.]

Let us see what shall happen if I spar with you, shall we?

Well, come to think of it, you did get pretty chatty later in the cartoons.

[His brother sat him in front of Clone Wars re-runs as a form of "babysitting". His memories of it aren't the best, but some things stick out.]

Uhhh. Thanks but no thanks. Just because I know how to kick some ass doesn't mean I wanna spar with the guy who pulled up a chair to watch me get eaten.

If you spent thirteen years on your own, you'd start learning to talk more as well. Not that I think anyone needs to hear anything more from you than what you already say.

[Waitasec--]

There were cartoons as well? I was only told of movies.

[He's starting to feel like a fish happily swimming in and out of plants through water until it sees a face staring at it and realizes it is in a fishbowl.]

Tch. Such a shame. I should have known you'd be a coward, but still, disappointing.

[Lance snorts and crosses his arms.] Dude, there's a whole franchise. Movies, books, cartoons, shows, video games, board games, toys… it goes on and on and on. It's a big freaking deal to a lot of people. I don't remember the cartoons that well, I saw them when I was like five, but the thirteen years alone sounds familiar… didn't you used to have like spider legs or something?

[Then he glares at Maul, clearly simmering over that dig because he's insecure and has something to prove all the time.]

And I'm not a coward! I'm just not an idiot! Are you forgetting that I've seen the movie where you killed a Jedi Master like a zillion times more experienced than me? [In Lance's near future he's able to go toe to toe with a swordsman even older and more experienced than that, but for now he hasn't been tested in that way… yet.]

[Yep, that fishbowl metaphor is getting more and more accurate. The others here who had talked to him about the Star Wars franchise never told him that it was vast franchise completely enmeshed in the fabric of the pop culture of Earth.]

Well then. The others who have told me of this did not tell the extent of things, that it is quite that large. [It also makes Maul wonder just who the hell would want to watch all the comings and goings of his galaxy. That's a level of dedication and obsession he can't even fathom.

There's a tic in Maul's jaw and his eyes narrow when Lance mentions his spider legs. That's something he definitely doesn't need people to know about him and yet here it was put into a cartoon for a whole planet to view.]

Yes. I did.

[His voice is flat and clipped the way he speaks the three words. He really doesn't want to talk about his years of madness on Lotho Minor.

He smirks and just shakes his head slowly as if Lance has disappointed him.]

What must people think of you? A coward and unwilling to fight. You're just a pathetic little victim instead.

[Lance winces as he can definitely tell he stepped on a tiny little landmine with that. Well, maybe not tiny, but if it were bigger he imagines Maul's reaction would have been more explicitly threatening. Soooo, just moving on from the spider legs thing.

And if only Maul would afford him the same courtesy, why you gotta goad him like that, man? Not cool.]

A victim of what? Your dumb villain speeches? [He rolls his eyes, but it's clear that he's rankled with the way his shoulders rise.] I've kicked so much ass defending my universe it would make your head spin! I'm not a victim of anything or a coward!

[The victim declaration feels like he's trying to convince himself a bit more than anyone else. But very deep down, he knows it's and objective fact and he's never been able to come to terms with it.]

[Maul can tell he's hit a nerve, and like someone picking at a scab, he can't help but keep poking to peel it to reveal the rawness underneath. ]

Words are only that. I have yet to see you prove yourself. Those who won't or can't fight are weak. And those that are weak have to constantly rely on others to save them when they get into trouble. Hence, you are a coward and a victim as I have said.

[He's just a terribly mean Zabrak when he wants to be. And right now? He certainly wants to be.]

[Lance bristles like an angry and cornered cat that this point.]

Oh, you wanna throw down? I'll throw down! Any day of the week!

[Maul gives a toothy smile, having gotten exactly the rise he wanted out of Lance.]

Good. Meet me at The Gate in Prufrock. We shall see what you are made of, my young coward.

[Record scratch!]

What? Like now?

Yes. Now. [Maul says, yellow eyes gleaming brightly.] Why? Do you have some pressing matter you need to attend to? Cowering behind someone stronger perhaps?

Uh no. Maybe I just need a few days to make sure my bayard works!

Excuses, excuses. [Maul looks completely unimpressed.] If you are so incompetent with your weapons that you don't know if they will serve you at a moment's notice, I am beginning to understand your lack of survival skills.

Excuse you, I earned all the survival badges in boy scouts and I was raised totally rugged, I can survive just fine. My bayard is just super advanced alien tech I don't really understand and the person who does isn't here. Besides, I can make a sword with my powers if I wanted, that would just give me a super unfair advantage and I'm guessing you want a fair fight.

Oh, I understand completely. [There's a beat and then Maul says:] You're a moron.

[HE IS SCOFFING. WHAT? HOW DARE?! SCOFF!] I am not a moron!

I shall believe that when I see it. But all I hear from you is talk. Talk talk talk. And no action. Just excuses and evermore words. I don't believe in just talking, if I wanted that I'd go find someone else in this city who would chatter my ear off.

[He's got plenty of friends when he feels the urge for something like that, which isn't very often.]

Now are you going to meet me at The Gate or do I have to go find whatever hole you're living in and drag you out by the ears?

[Lance visibly bristles like a cat that was just stroked the wrong way and he crosses his arms.]

I'm totally a man of action and I'll prove it to you when I'm damn well ready! I'll meet you there in a week. At noon! Sharp!

Good. I accept your proposal and will see you then.

[The smirk on his face definitely says that this was the outcome Maul was hoping for all along.]

[He sputters, not really gathering what just happened and figures well he's in too deep now.] Well… GOOD. Prepare to get your ass kicked!

[And with that he's hanging up because oh no… what just happened?]

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Video; un: darkness

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