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Video; un: darkness

[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.]

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True. There are precious few candidates I could think of that would fit the bill.

If they're at all like the last Pthumerians we have encountered they'll see us just as ants beneath their boot.

It's Kyle. You?

That's super ominous, but okay. Nice to know you're uhhh, self aware?

That's legit, I'm just saying that I doubt waltzing into a city that already has some kind of working infrastructure and trying to overthrow it without understanding how shit works is a good idea.

I'm almost some of them are exactly the same Pthumerians we encountered. Have you read a calendar? The Moss King features quite prominently. I have my suspicions that a few of those are still here. What that means is open to debate. Cynthia at least seems... content.

[She rubbed her forehead, kneading it.]

I think this is something that should probably be talked about among a few people. And with the locals. Perhaps something more in the "Council" model. So that if someone were to disappear, it would not cause an immediate collapse. And done in junction with the locals.

...

Assuming they stay friendly, which I am not currently assuming.

Edited 2021-09-04 04:42 (UTC)

I have yet to see anything that would give me reassurance that people are going to obey any rules, provided they even know what they are.

[Manabu is going to feel so very tired after this conversation. Welcome to the wonderful exhaustion that is trying to talk to Maul about anything.]

[Shock.

Awe.

Pure... nope, she can't even pretend she's surprised by his answer.]

And you think that's going to be perfectly okay now while we're here? Hate to break it to you Maulrus, but people are going to be demanding answers and solutions from you, not just letting you go play with light swords and plotting revenge against someone who insulted your fashion sense.

[Maul looks angry and is about to answer when Venge nudges him again gently. The way the two of them are staring at each makes it clear there's some type of conversation going on between them. When it's done, Maul turns his attention back to Usagi.]

How exactly am I supposed to prove myself when people won't give me the chance to do better than before? Isn't that what you've been telling me for some time now? This is the perfect opportunity.

Darth Maul.

[And he certainly looks like it too.]

I've had much time to reflect on the inner workings of my mind. It is more than some have done here.

I'm not so certain. It worked well the last time I did it.

[Considering that was essentially what he'd done with Mandalore.]

...dude, have you ever been to a place called Coruscant?

Okay, what I'm hearing is "I have experience in running a dictatorship."

Let me guess. Either you're from the same galaxy I am or there's a popular series of movies called "Star Wars" in your world.

[Fortunately, Maul's been through being fourth-walled before and he's come to a place of understanding with it, even if he still doesn't like it.]

Well, if the system works, why find a new one?

[Don't trust that smile on either his face or the Maalraas sitting next to him. They have nothing but good intentions they assure you.]

[tired later, confused and indignant now!!!]

Maybe...um, what rules, specifically? Because everyone's been awful polite and helpful to me so far. I kind of consider that a good sign that things are working the way they ought to for the most part?

[Maul used guilt card of "proving he's changed!"

It's super effective!

The bleeding heart that she is, Usagi frowns, feeling instantly awful that she judged him like that.]

I'm sorry, I didn't know that this was something like that. [It's not an "I'm wrong, you're right." Maul may very well need to DIE for Usagi to ever get THAT out of her mouth. But it is her assuming, it's true.]

But I think considering what your experience running a planet IS, you shouldn't try and be "ruling" alone as it were.

Kinda both? But, uh, I've spent the last few months accidentally pissing off Jedis. They're a little uptight.

Because I doubt it worked for anybody but you in the long run, dude.

Look, I actually do think we should get involved in the governing process for our own good, but taking over just to instill some kinda totalitarian bullshit? No way, dude. We can do better. [He figures if he could persuade Fidel Castro to try democracy when he was eight, he can maybe sway Maul.]

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?

[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.

[ 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. ]

[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.]

Well, yeah, but you, uh...you kinda have a way, of um. Saying stuff.

[You have no tact, Maul, that's what he means.]

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.

[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?

[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.]

[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.

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.

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.

[Fortunately, Maul isn't insulted. Will knows him well enough by now that he can take the boy's words into consideration.]

I was raised by spinewolves and never taught the niceties of conversation.

[It tends to take peeling back the layer of Maul slowly one by one to get down to the damaged person beneath that wasn't quite as bad as the monstrous psychopath on the surface.]

[Manipulative as Maul can be, there is a grain of truth to what he says as he explains the way he wouldn't do for many other people here.]

I much desire power not just for the sake of it but because it will allow me to protect those I care about and prevent me from getting hurt again.

[Alright, so those still weren't the most noble of reasons for wanting power, but they were far better than the usual selfish reasons Maul had given for wanting things like revenge and the deaths of others in the past. He still clung fast to the illusion that power could give him what he wanted, to never be helpless, scared, and alone again.]

And what's wrong with a good dictatorship? Helps keep the rabble in control.

[But he smirks to show he's mostly joking.]

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