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: 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.

[thinkfirst]

[ At least Flynn's gotten a crash-course in diplomatic arguing over the last few months. He steels himself, frowning at the screen. ]

While ordinarily I would agree with you, I believe I'm correct in thinking that we are all new to this society. Coming into an established society and attempting to establish order is a recipe for exploitation, corruption, and failure. Initiative has its place, and that is after research and immersion. Otherwise, unjust structures—the kind that result in witch hunts—are hastily put into place.

[survivalthroughhate]

There is no time like the present to establish things. Start off by hitting the ground running, so to speak, and that way people aren't shocked and thrown into chaos when things ultimately end up being outside of their comfort level. And that will rapidly happen here if it is anything like the old town.

[thinkfirst]

Deciding things without learning the lay of the land is an excellent way to make enemies of the people you are attempting to help.

[ That, Flynn feels very strongly about. ]

Can you know the reality they are facing if you act so quickly? Can you truly understand the problem you are attempting to solve, and would you listen, if you're so determined to act quickly, when problems are brought to you? Structure is, of course, necessary to society, but I believe this city has existed for a long time before you and I washed up here. We cannot ethically come in and take over like an invading force, imposing our ways on the people here.

[ No matter that Flynn thinks this place will need something like that eventually. No matter that he agrees, in a way. He has seen the failures in power-grabs. ]

You'll create more of the very chaos you're trying to avoid.

[survivalthroughhate]

I already have a bad habit of making enemies wherever I go. A few more or less makes no difference to me.

[Even if it ends up being himself against an entire city, Maul would be hard-pressed to stop his course of action.]

And what about the people who have washed up here? Do you believe the Sleepers will all follow the rules, laws, and regulations set down in this city? Or should they be subjugated to our own way of thinking separated from these natives?

[thinkfirst]

Perhaps reconsider your own behavior if you're finding that to be a consistent theme. We are responsible for our own actions, just as we are responsible for each other on a societal level. Of course Sleepers should follow the rules and laws of this city. We are living in this city, and therefore we are subject as much as anyone else.

[survivalthroughhate]

Even if their beliefs include things like the sacrifice of sentient beings? That happened in the last place.

[Now he's just being contrary for the sake of it.]

From what I can tell, both places we've ended up in tend to have locals that are complete morons.

[thinkfirst]

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?

[survivalthroughhate]

Strike first and you don't have to ever worry about getting stabbed in the back. Once the populace is cowed, then you can turn your attention to becoming a benevolent ruler. Most people don't care who is in charge so long as their families have enough food and they've got shelter.

[Maul's voice is as hard and unyielding as the red kyber crystals that power his dual-bladed lightsaber.]

[thinkfirst]

Starting your reign as a benevolent ruler by striking and cowing the populace is a fallacy. Surely you see that.

[survivalthroughhate]

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

[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.

[survivalthroughhate]

From what I've seen in previously ruling, most people honestly don't care who is in charge so long as their families are fed, they have a roof over their heads, and they have a job that will allow them to do the first two. So long as the infrastructure is in place, whoever rules over them is irrelevant to their concerns.