Video; un: darkness

[survivalthroughhate]

[The video turns on and it's everyone's not-so-favorite Sith Lord. He looks better than he did upon arrival though he wears the usual expression of just barely contained fury he's known for. Sitting next to him is a creature that might be the stuff of human nightmares given how they're all teeth. They could have easily been mistaken for a monster in this place were it not for the fact they're remaining perfectly still, Maul's right hand resting along their back.

If you're all done fooling around with these devices like the children half of you are, perhaps we can turn our attention to more serious matters. Oh, and for those of you who had hoped I wouldn't find my way here, so sorry to disappoint.

[Though he sounds anything but.]

For one, I recall a lot of bleating about organizing a government and such during your charming little witch hunt of me. I assume for most you that was all talk but surely there has to be a few enterprising souls that were serious. If so, let us talk more. I am most curious given I have some experience with running an entire planet. [Venge, the Maalraas sitting by Maul, paws him gently.] Oh and has anyone else found themselves suddenly with an animal companion?

[Then, having blithely insulted a good three-fourths of the population, the video is turned off.]

Comments

( video | un: kenobi )

[jedies]

[ dryly. ]

You have neglected to mention you ran the planet into the ground and started a civil war.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul seems completely unruffled by the accusations.]

I deliberately allowed that war to occur in hopes of enticing someone and his apprentice to come try and stop me. I was quite disappointed when you neglected to show up and sent a padawn in your stead.

[Not Here]

[lightthedarkness]

[She and Obi-Wan are on the same wavelength, surprising no one.]

voice; un: yuuki

[siriusly]

I, uh. Didn't know you could talk...

[it's a faltered-yet-flat tone. a very this-may-as-well-happen kind of flavor.]

[survivalthroughhate]

[There's an amused chuckle from Maul.]

I was only mute when I first came here. A side effect of the desquidification process. Back in my youth I spoke very little and hardly at all.

Video | UN: ClickClickBloom

[onekindsoul]

Hey!

Excuse you! That was the most important post I will ever make in my entire life!

[survivalthroughhate]

[In a bone-dry tone:]

Yes and it was thrilling I'm sure. But this device should be used for more than just our amusement.

Video; UN: Cuddlebunny

[lightthedarkness]

Did you run the planet WELL is the real question here, Maulrus.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Usagi, not you too!]

Well enough.

video; un: wulala

[royalfling]

[ Boy that thing is scary, but he isn't really scared of Maul so maybe he shouldn't be afraid of his animal friend..? Wu for his part has Fritter the raccoon perched on his shoulder ]

You ran a whole planet? Oh, wow! That's a lot of responsibility. I've only run a country, and not for very long...

[ He was in Deerington longer than he's been on the throne back home. It's a strange thought ]

I talked with some people about starting a government, but I think that things have changed pretty dramatically. We aren't in Deerington anymore, and this place, Trench, already has a bunch of people in it! Imposing our own government on them seems pretty, um... well. Bad. It seems bad! We can't just come in here and start trying to change everything before we even know who these people are and what they care about.

[ It feels like what Kuvira did: she came in and imposed her will on others, and while Wu was behind starting a government when it was just them, just their group of Sleepers, it would feel all too much like a coup to try and impose a government on the people of Trench ]

I wonder if they already have a government? There has to be, or it would be all out anarchy! ...right?

I guess we could have a Sleeper-only government? But that also seems kind of strange to single out a group of people, even if we are in that group!

If you're interested, I know that Ozpin had some thoughts about it.

[survivalthroughhate]

I don't trust the people here any farther than I can't throw them.

[Cause Maul could throw them a great distance.]

You weren't there for the first month I was in Deerington. The locals acted very kind and sweet, just like they did right now. And I thought all the talk of them hating us was exaggerated... [He pauses, reflecting on how long ago that was now.] .... until they drugged me, sewed me to a dead deer and tried to burn me alive at the end of the month. I would have died were it not for Reaper rescuing me. No, I do not trust these natives to have our best interests at heart.

Having a Sleeper-run government does seem like a wise course of action. Why let outsiders meddle in our affairs when we are perfectly capable of taking care of them ourselves?

Video: UN - Runeseeker

[onerthes]

Hmmm... I'll admit? I expected Wu to initiate this conversation again. You were low on my list of suspects.

[Vira-Lorr's tone was a touch dry, though she was trying to sound amused. It wasn't Maul this time, though. She had a somewhat mixed opinion on the matter of governments as a rule.]

There does seem to be some level of pecking order in the town, but it is more cooperative and collaborative by the looks of things. Not precisely 'governed' as the nightmare was, at least in name. [Roderic being rarely around.]

I won't be stepping up to this process, but I may have some ... opinions. Governments tend to be quite restraining forces, as a rule.

[survivalthroughhate]

Well, we could always just have things be a dictatorship and see how well that works out.

[.... Is Maul joking? Not entirely.]

Besides, we should at least have a court of law for the purpose of justice instead of just letting people impose whatever punishments they see fit.

[Having experienced that more than once, Maul wasn't keen to have it happen again.]

[Video][UN:A_Wesker013][CW: Police corruption discussed.]

[subject_013]

[The Omni appears to be propped on a corner table, showing a view of what looks like a a parlor hearth as Wesker, still clad in the piratical garb he'd stolen off some fellows who'd appeared to have escaped from Davy Jones's locker, endeavors to light the wood piled for a fire, using a flint and steel.]

I think it's presumptive for us the Sleepers to even consider forming our own government in this place, when most of us have recently arrived and the natives might already have their own form of government.

[He tries again - crack-crack-crack- sparks flicking among the tinder. No luck yet, but he's trying.]

For all we know, the Pthumerians who dwell here might be the rulers of this world.

[Crack-crack-crack - finally a spark hits the tinder and a tiny plume of smoke curls up. He leans down and blows on the tinder, which slowly starts to smolder.]

And while I'm on it, in my experience, governments, at least the democratic form of it, tend to lead to politics and I can't think of another more useless human activity. I may be biased: I worked in law enforcement under a police chief who was better at politics than enforcing the law. He couldn't govern his own behavior or enforce the law on himself. And I say this as a man who's unafraid to shed blood, if it serves a greater purpose.

[He leans down and blows on the tinder again. Speaking of hot air...]

[survivalthroughhate]

Better to get a start on things than wait for all the little shaaks to start bleating the next time something happens they're powerless to stop.

[He watches with amusement as Wesker attempts to light the fire. Venge lets out a light sound that might be a laugh though it's hard to tell.]

The Pthumerians have always seemed to see us as little ants. I doubt they're much interested in the petty day to day affairs that govern our little minds.

Then perhaps we should just do the least complicated form of government: a dictatorship and be done with it.

[And no, he is not joking.]

video; UN: TripleJ

[kyley_b]

Somehow you were a lot more polite when you couldn't talk.

Did you not notice that other people already seem to be running shit here?

[survivalthroughhate]

Oh good, you're not dead.

[How's that for polite, Kyle? He chuckles for a moment.]

My old master thought the same thing. Hence why I used to only speak when spoken to.

As for other people, I have yet to see a leader or even any unification. Point me in their direction and I will gladly speak with them.

Video; UN: blackmoths

[blackmothwings]

I am pleased to see that some people are using this network properly. But I would expect no less from you, Maul.

How do you fare?

[survivalthroughhate]

Lucille!

[Maul sounds incredibly pleased that his friend is here in Trench. He hadn't seen her after he turned back from being a squid and was afraid she might not have made the trip.]

Well as can be expected after being attacked by crabs when I first arrived. I shall not be winning any popularity contests anytime soon but I have friends and allies enough that it does not matter.

video; un: willthewise

[deadboywalking]

[Will is grimacing a little and rubbing at his temples like he's getting the beginning of a headache.]

Yeahhhh, I...remember everything about you now.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul seems completely unperturbed at seeing Will on the screen.]

Well, then you should know my desire to change is a sincere one.

[Of course, so is his desire for power, but that goes without saying.]

video; un: scifo

[thinkfirst]

[ Flynn has in fact found himself in the company of an animal companion, which means he has both a new horse friend AND a lot of opinions about proper government.

Also, some concerns, which is why he is frowning down at the little device. ]

I hardly think that now is the time to be talking of forming a new government, although I have certainly noticed that no such formal structure seems to exist here. Am I correct in my understanding that this was attempted before, in the previous place to this one?

[ And that for some reason it was in response to this person's actions—although Flynn is going to try and gather more information about that before making any kind of judgment. Still, he's concerned. ]

[survivalthroughhate]

There is no time like the present to get a move on things.

[Maul scratches behind the ears of Venge, who wrinkles their beady eyes up in pleasure and lashes their tail back and forth slowly.]

There was talk but that's all that ever came of it. Most people just love to speak of what they want to happen but few ever take the actual initiative to get things done.

Video; UN: Willow

[frogfear]

Good to see you're back to your usual pleasant self again.

[No, it's really not.]

Also, for it to be a witch hunt, you either have to be a) a witch, or b) not have actually done anything wrong.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Oh look, it's one of his least favorite people. Thrilling.]

Unlike some in this place, I don't hide who or what I am.

[Maul is forever going to lean into his reputation as a bastard and monster, another wall he can hide behind so no one can see what lies beneath the surface.]

I stand by it was one when I was used as a scapegoat so others could make a bid for power. That entire discussion had very little to do with what I actually did to the boy and more to do with those that sought to throw their weight around. Or do you think most people who want to be in charge are selfless and good? I was raised by a politician and know otherwise.

video; un: morningstar

[morningstud]

[Well... Lucifer certainly doesn't look happy. He's honestly been pretty neutral when it comes to the things Maul's done, thinking it best not to get carried away, but they haven't been here in this "new" world long at all.

He's already tired of this.]

Is taunting people how you prove you're no threat to them now?

[survivalthroughhate]

[There's a flat, almost bored tone to Maul's voice as he answers even as his face continues to have that look that permanently radiates fury on it.]

Who the hell are you? Why should I care? And interesting you think that I have some interest in proving I'm no threat.

[That equated weakness in Maul's mind and he wouldn't do anything that he thought people might be able to use against him.]

video | un: katherine

[manipulative]

[ interesting shit, maul. fortunately, katherine's not really interested in the whole witch hunt against him. of all the things people could be focusing on, hunting down a guy who wears red better than most is a waste of time. (witch hunts never work.) ]

I already had two animal companions before Deerington went to bits. Does your friend have a name?

[ your very... pretty friend. ]

[survivalthroughhate]

Their name is Venge.

[Venge looks at Maul and paws him roughly, taking umbrage with not saying their full name. Maull looks back at them.]

No, I am not telling her your full name. It sounds ridiculous.

un: trienemybest; video

[droptheious]

[Varian's already pretty stressed out and this is not helping matters at all. ]

Maul, we've just got here, c'mon. There are people living here, they've probably got their own government anyway and it's probably best not to start a coup with them immediately.

[Can you just not, Uncle? Just this once?]

I've still just got Ruddiger, but he's made of smoke magic now for some reason? Is that one of those terrifying dog-creatures from your home planet?

[survivalthroughhate]

[Sorry, Redemption Sponsor. You've already got your work cut out for you here.]

The people here may not need law and order but the Sleepers certainly could.

[He's gonna be a little stubborn about this.]

No, Maalraas aren't found on Dathomir. They're from Dxun.

not here.

[necrolord]

[ At running an entire planet, his attention is piqued.

The Emperor of the Nine Houses does not know what he's looking at, here; he would have guessed 'a necromantically modified human,' but this place would never be that intuitive. And he can't begin to guess at the species of the pet.

Still, for someone who didn't live through Deerington, this is all remarkably informative. It's a tragedy that this world is so lacking in popcorn.

He's taken note of this one. ]

un: dragongirl

[catchatting]

Wow, so like... if you need some social media help, I can offer my services for a fee.

[ A pause and she looks into the camera with pity. ]

And you do need it. I promise.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul merely gives the unfamiliar woman on the screen an unimpressed look.]

Do I look like someone who is interested in increasing their popularity with the populace at large?