deernet | Video; un: darkness

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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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[She's... not going to point out that who he's talking to and just how much experience she has in that NOT being true.]

Just be careful about how you go about getting it, Maul. [Technically, she is capable of granting his wish. She can transfer power to him and let him feel infinitely more powerful than just what holding her crystal in his pocket could do. Her power willingly given is an entirely different sensation than taking it by force. But he's not... there yet.]

If that was something not just us but the people of this world wanted, then... I actually don't think it would be a bad idea for you to be on it. I think it would teach you to have to compromise with someone other than me or Obi-Wan to start.

[She remembers how scared Varian and Fern got during the whole talk of the government, that they came to her with those concerns and that she'd protect both of them with her life before she ever let that witch hunt touch them.]

But I think you would also need to be reminded you can't Force Choke a council member you don't agree with.

I will. I do not intend to lose it yet again once I have found it.

[What a poor, deluded fool he was. Someday, he'd learn that power couldn't prevent the pain he wanted to avoid at all costs. But that day was not today.]

You see? There is a method to my madness after all.

[It's just hard for Maul to communicate what he really means with people he doesn't trust. He finds it far easier to hide behind the persona of the psychopathic monster that so many of the Sleepers have already written him off as.]

And when was the last time I Force Choked anyone?

[.....Probably the last week he'd been in Deerington but ssshhhhh. They don't need to discuss that.]

That's not how power really works. [She would know.]

Is that what we're calling pure dumb luck now? Method?

[His wife is forever there with the roasting ~~since Ritsuka's much deeper burns cannot exist.~~]

I don't know, Maul, when?

It is how it shall work for me.

[Nope, she's not going to be able to convince him of anything else today. He's done enough growing in his own mind right now, he doesn't need to be doing anymore.

He frowns and folds his arms across his chest, looking sour.]

There is far more to what I do than simple luck.

At least a month. Maybe two.

[Which is a really long time for him!]

So then make it three months, or better, make it a whole year.

I did make it a whole year before. The only limb I chopped off in Deerington was Glitch's and the little pest deserved it. But the way everyone carries on you'd think I did it every month or something.

[She should have seen him jumping from Force choking to limbs being chopped off and she should have seen Glitch getting brought up again. She frowns.]

He didn't. But we're past that conversation. [Because Maul will forever say Glitch deserved it, Usagi will forever say he didn't. Neither was going to budge but considering it was over whether someone deserved to have their limbs chopped off, Usagi was 100% feeling in the right.]

Remember how we talked about how threatening people and then not following through with said threat isn't some big gesture of kindness?

This is that.

Edited 2021-09-16 04:53 (UTC)

[Yep, any chance Maul had ever had of feeling badly for the incident went right out the window after Ironwood and Glitch did their best to make him a public pariah. He's gonna forever dig his heels in about this.]

And what else can I do then? I won't apologize and crawl on my belly, groveling to everyone on how much I have wronged them and how I shall feel guilty forever over it. We both know that's not me.

We can start with dealing with how you think apologizing is the same thing as crawling on your belly.

[Usagi withholds from pointing out that Maul's "not me" is not entirely HIM either considering how much of Palpatine is his personality instead of... Maul's.]

It's weakness. I can possibly show it to those I have learned to care about when the occasion calls for it but I will not show it to the populace at large to be mocked or to have it used against me.

[Yep, there's a lot of Palpatine still infecting Maul's thinking despite his best attempts to shake it off. Children absorbed a lot from their parents and Maul had done the same with his adoptive father for better or for worse. At least when it was pointed out to him it gave him cause to hesitate.]

Well then, the answer is clear what we must do.

[She grins.

Be afraid, Maul, be very afraid.]

We're just going to have to widen your list of who you care about to the population at large.

Edited 2021-09-19 08:43 (UTC)

[THIS WOMAN HE SWEARS--!

Maul's got a clear scowl on his face.]

I have reached my limit for caring about people and refuse to do it anymore.

[That's not how it works and they both know it but he's being stubborn for stubborn's sake right now.]

Well, if you're scared, that's fine. Caring about other people can be scary.

I know what you're doing and it's not going to work this time.

[He's in an irritable mood and not up for letting himself be manipulated because of his foolish pride.]

This time. [They both know it'll work again soon enough.]

Fine, tell me about your friend there. [She didn't forget about the toothy creature beside him.]

[Getting him to talk about his new companion puts him in a slightly better mood. Maul glances at Venge, who looks particularly happy to see Usagi, though it's a bit hard to tell expressions on a face with that many teeth.]

This is Venge. [Venge pokes him with a paw and he rolls his eyes.] Full name is Vengeful Snuzzle but I refuse to call such a magnificent creature by such a ridiculous name. They are a Maalraas from my home galaxy, Force sensitive creatures with hides so thick even a lightsaber is hard-pressed to go through it. I think it is somehow part of me given the way they appeared.

Oh that's-

[Wait.]

[Did he just say...?]

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

[He did! HE DID!]

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

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

[Nope.

She can't hold it in.

She is suddenly bursting out laughing.]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

MAULRUS AHAHAHA HAS A MAALRAAS! AHAHAHAHAHAH!

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