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

1/???

[lightthedarkness]

Oh that's-

2/?

[lightthedarkness]

[Wait.]

3/?

[lightthedarkness]

[Did he just say...?]

4/?

[lightthedarkness]

.................................................

5/?

[lightthedarkness]

[He did! HE DID!]

6/?

[lightthedarkness]

[Usagi pressed her lips together, clearly trying, and failing, not to smile. She covers her mouth, her shoulders shaking.]

7/9

[lightthedarkness]

Do you... [Breath.] That is.... [A smile creeps across her lips.]

8/9

[lightthedarkness]

[Nope.

She can't hold it in.

She is suddenly bursting out laughing.]

9/9

[lightthedarkness]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

MAULRUS AHAHAHA HAS A MAALRAAS! AHAHAHAHAHAH!

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul looks completely unamused. Really, he should have seen this coming, and yet it still crept up to blindside him.]

I'm not telling you anything anymore.

[He says in a surly tone. Meanwhile, Venge has collapsed into a heap just to the side, rolling from side to side with how much they're laughing.]

[deadboywalking]

I saaaaiiiiid don't rub it in. [Even if Maul's not gloating, Will is still Majorly Annoyed.]

[lightthedarkness]

AHAHAHAHAHA, SEE, SNUZZLE AGREES WITH ME TOO!

[Because OF COURSE Usagi would pick THAT name to go by.]

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maull looks down at Venge.]

You are a traitor.

[He growls. Then he turns his attention back to Usagi.]

And you are no better!

[survivalthroughhate]

I am attempting restraint but you amuse me greatly.

[He can't help it, Will. It's like talking with a tiny kitten trying to puff itself up to appear much larger sometimes.]

[survivalthroughhate]

Several have put forth your name as one that would be suitable for discussing governments with, so I shall try to keep an open mind when speaking with you.

[Which is more than he would do with a lot of others but Wu has been nice to Maul and insightful too, so he deserves a little more in terms of tolerance.]

[survivalthroughhate]

[He pauses for a moment.]

Point taken. I'd be dead by now if I'd given up at any point.

[survivalthroughhate]

I know I stress you out a lot. But I am trying even if it doesn't always seem like it.

[All take and no give was just going to alienate people so now it was time for a different tack.]

It sounds most curious. If ever this place gives us the opportunity to visit each other's worlds, I am taking the opportunity.

[survivalthroughhate]

Well, you never know. Some people do possess that talent, you know, myself included.

[Though that's one aspect of Maul's powers he's never been able to control no matter how hard he's tried.]

[survivalthroughhate]

Some don't seem to understand that. They seem to think I will forgive and forget eventually. I never do.

[When Maul has committed himself to a course of action, there's precious little that can get him to stop. Better to get a charging elephant to change course as to get him to decide to give up his quest to make someone pay when he's dead-set on revenge.]

[survivalthroughhate]

Well, this strategy does need some refining, I'll admit. But there's no reason why it couldn't work.

[siriusly]

[a drawn-out, dubious sound.] If that's the case, you knew waiting and seeing's the way about it, huh?

[wh...why is he...in a childlike back-and-forth with this guy? and why can't he stop. WHAT IS THIS BITEY FIGHTY COMPULSION.]

[lightthedarkness]

Snuzzle just knows the truth and knows who to side with.

[frogfear]

Yeah, you definitely do give that impression.

[She's genuinely unsure how other people miss this with Maul. It's part of the reason why she is cautious in these moments when they do seem to be able to hold a reasonable conversation. She fully expects that there may still come a day when he looks for revenge, but she's still hopeful that his search for a cure might temper that some.]

[droptheious]

I'm glad you are. It's...important to do that. Actions, not just words, you know? I'm proud of you to see it.

[It was important to encourage it, he knows that. He doesn't want any more backsliding, as much as he knows he can't be completely responsible for Maul's redemption. ]

Hah, yeah, it'd be interesting to see. I guess we had the chance when the dream collapsed, but I was scared of taking the chance. In case I got stuck there.

[thinkfirst]

There are plenty of reasons why it would not work. In starting your rule that way, you are establishing that you are not here to protect the people, and you are not interested in working on their behalf. That breeds only rebellion, and for good reason. I am well-acquainted with the way that absolute power corrupts and based on what you have said so far I see nothing to suggest that you would not fall prey to exactly that.