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

You know, there are some people who say that about you too.

[Not Luz of course, but she was sure that Glitch would have had a good laugh at Darth Maul espousing this about Anakin and NOT himself. For Luz, she'd seen that Darth Maul was trying as hard as he could].

So you wouldn't try to help him, knowing he's going down a path of self harm?

I listen occasionally!

[Maul says indignantly. Rude child. R U D E.]

Otherwise I would have never gotten as far along the path I am walking now as I already have.

[Maul shrugs.]

You cannot help someone who refuses to help themselves. If he were to be willing to change, I would step in, but he refuses. Skywalker only follows his own counsel.

But it isn't easy, is it?

[Luz isn't saying that they were the same, but that they were similar, and that Anakin should at least have been given an attempt].

I've noticed! Some people think you could be better, but you have to go at a pace that works for you. Preferably without ruffling anyone's feathers.

That's going to be a pretty painful experience for him then. This place likely won't kind to us in general, but its way harder without people by your side.

...........No.

[Maul says in a sour, childish tone.]

Unfortunately, ruffling feathers, scales, fur, and skin appears to be to be one of the things I am best at here.

[He just can't help it sometimes...and other times he can but just chooses not to be the better person because he's an ass.]

Perhaps when he reaches as low as he possibly can, he will be willing to turn to others for help.

Everyone's got to learn at their own pace.

[With Darth Maul, it was about him finding out what suited him best based on his own experiences. Could he try harder? Probably, but he had his own way, and so long as he wasn't going around slaughtering or manipulating people, it was probably best he start in which way felt comfortable].

I mean, anyone can do that, even accidentally. What makes things different is choosing to be better that that!

[Ah, Luz. Remember who you're talking to].

Are you sure that you want him to get to that low a point?

Tell that to some people in this town.

[Maul grumbles. No matter how fast or slow he goes, there is always someone out there who takes umbrage with the path he's taken. Well, he's just going to stop listening to them all at this rate and only do what he feels like will take him where he wants to go.]

You say that as if I want to be better.

[Sometimes Maul does enjoy all the terrible things that he does just a little too much.]

It's not about what I want but what I know what he's like. And he will stubbornly go his own way until he hits rock bottom.

Their impression of you is the one they got to know you by and how you reacted to it, that's why it's going to be different from mine. Plus, whatever their experiences in their world are, it'll inform what they think about you.

[Luz understood there was no controlling that, anymore than there was controlling Darth Maul].

You want to be a little better, Darth Maul. At least be honest about that.

[She was well aware that he wasn't trying to turn over a new leaf. She wasn't THAT naive].

And I guess you're totally find with seeing him get there, huh?

You do have a point.

[And Maul has only helped that because he still wants to be seen as a monster or at least a terrifying figure by some of the population of the city. Most of the time, he relishes in the reputation he's garnered from them over the past almost two years he's been in the two Pthumerian run cities.]

Different, yes. Better? Perhaps.

[He definitely does even when he doesn't want to admit it.]

My sympathies only extend so far with someone who pushes everyone else away and stubbornly refuses any sort of help.

[Anakin won't be helped by anyone. So Maul's not going to put forth any effort in that regards unless the Jedi comes to his senses and suddenly wants those around him to help him be better.]

Oh, I know. I'm glad you see that.

[He could be stubborn and she knew a part of him still needed that reputation, but she was still going to be insistent that he could be himself and not need to hurt or terrify anyone. That, though, she knew would be a hard sell].

I think so.

Well this sounds like it's going to be a lot for Obi Wan to deal with on his own. Maybe you can help to lighten his load a little?"

[Dammit, Maul was fully prepared to just watch Anakin crash and burn in a most satisfying answer but then Luz has to go and mention Obi-Wan. Much as Maul doesn't want to admit, he wants to spare his old foe pain these days, and Anakin falling to the Dark Side will definitely fall into that category.]

I suppose I could do something. But only for Obi-Wan's sake, mind you. I still have no sympathy for his padawan whatsoever.

[Luz did think that Maul would show leniency when it came to Obi Wan. She had an idea that Anakin was definitely more like the Maul who likely first arrived at Deerington but needed a bit of a nudge to try and go in the right direction. She hoped, anyway].

I won't tell if you won't. We'll just have to have people assume you're a better person than they give you credit for.

[Which she thought he WAS, just that his reasons were a little less altruistic in this situation].

Video; un: darkness

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