deernet | 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.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

It'll still make it harder to get that progress back.

[She pauses a moment.]

The potion John gave you, has it changed colour at all?

[ the good in situations. obi-wan rolls his shoulders at that, not quite sure if that is the right turn of phrase. ]

Perhaps. I like to think there is hope in all places.

That is where we shall always differ.

[Maul sought out hope in his way but he often didn't allow himself to find it or believe that it could even be possible.]

Says who?

[....Maul, are you six or thirty-six? There's a moment's pause where Maul just sits there in surly silence before he says:]

No. It has not.

I would accept help from few others.

[Maul really doesn't care about how he looks, but if it makes Lucille happy, he'll humor her for a bit.]

Yes. There we only had to deal with a few Pthumerians. Here it seems that they run the city to some extent which makes me doubt they shall be benevolent to us.

Give it time. I'm sure within a week or two it'll happen.

Compromise can be such a dirty word in some cases. I shall have to examine all these Pthumerians closely to discover their thoughts, temperaments, and feelings towards the sentient beings here.

And where exactly did I say I thought a conquering force would be a good idea?

[Smart boy.]

In all seriousness, have you noticed any other changes to himself besides being able to become incorporeal?

Hey, remember-

[She cuts herself off. She already told him basically that he was acting childish, and he threatened to break her leg. She is not going to rise to the bait a second time. Besides, she's more concerned that the potion hasn't changed for him yet. He has made some progress - he even said there were things he regretted, and he seems like the type who needs to be rewarded for those baby steps so he has the encouragement to keep trying.]

Never mind.

I've noticed a little change in you since... well, you know. If that helps any?

The entire time I spent with my master all I heard was the ways in which democracy was failing and why it would never work properly as a system. The corruption, the stagnation, the hypocrisy of such a form of government. Forgive me if that has made me wary of such a system ever having any good to it.

You'll just need to have enough optimism for both of us. Any time I have ever tried to have hope, it doesn't end well for me.

On that subject, Maul, have you heard anything about the notion of a Patron Pthumerian? I'm almost curious if you know yours.

[She knew hers. She was trying to decide how she felt about it.]

It doesn't. Not really.

[Aside from his usual surly pessimism, Willow is on the right track. Maul responds far better to encouragement than to criticisms and has since he was a boy. Usagi and others here have realized that and use often to their benefit.]

I have heard talk of it. I'm not sure I quite understand the notion but I have an idea of who mine might be.

[They didn't have things like star signs in a galaxy far, far away but he was quickly picking up what it meant.]

It's similar to astrology. I don't know that the concept holds much merit for you, given that for your people constellations change their nature as you travel the stars, do they not?

I don't know that it means much here? But that one might take an interest in those closest to their patronage, for better or worse.

No. Such a concept doesn't hold much weight when you can move from planet to planet easily with the stars above you always changing.

We shall have to keep an eye on them. Some might make for powerful allies if they are shown to have a benevolent or even kind spirit.

[look Maul, just because you're clairvoyant doesn't mean you get to be a BUMMER about it NOW]

I mean--that's just speculation. And I guess I just hope...most everyone else is okay with taking things slow here? And...not trying to make things hostile between ourselves and the locals.

[It seems too condescending to suggest there are other reasons to be grateful that there's been even a small shift in him.]

It was worth a shot. Anyway, I bet your friends have noticed a difference too, and I think you already figured out they're the ones that count.

I suspect that much of the power of such things is drawn from the culture itself that believes in them. belief has considerable power to influence the underlying energies of a race.

[Which was to say she might agree with Jung, slightly, but refuse to put it in scientific terms.]

Or at least one that can be worked with.

That's something we can work on. It's a little more fun than everything else you've got to work on.

[Oh she returns hat grin.]

You know- That's actually a fair point and I totally see where you're coming from. You'd probably get a fair share of votes from those types too.

...And honestly even if people say they have the best of intentions that isn't always the case.

I've had a few close encounters like that back at home.

I hope they consider you if the council things does come into being. It could be something we need here.

Hmph. Perhaps.

[At least it's not a definite no.]

[He's so much fun at parties.]

Everyone here is so optimistic. Am I not allowed to have some pessimism to balance it all out?

It is an idea worth thinking about. At its most basic tenants and in an extremely oversimplified way, that is how the Force can operate with people unaware of its existence.

Keep me informed if you discover anything about our gracious hosts.

I do find some things funny.

[Mainly morbid humor and black comedy.]

You see? Contrary to those that see me as just some sort of a dumb animal, I do have a process to the way that I think.

[It just takes a while for people to see it, though it is easier the closer they get to him.]

Then I hope I shall have your vote if such a thing comes to pass.

[quickly:] Oh, y-you can be pessimistic all you want! It's just the...the acting upon the idea we gotta start subjugating people is what I'm more concerned about.

Of course no one should stand for the sacrifice of sentient beings, but can you claim the locals here are doing that, or are you bringing an idea of what you think and using that to subjugate people who have so far done nothing wrong? You would take away their voices and their agency, and remove Sleepers from their laws, based on nothing but your own ideas of what they might do?

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