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

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul merely gives the unfamiliar woman on the screen an unimpressed look.]

Do I look like someone who is interested in increasing their popularity with the populace at large?

[catchatting]

Yeah. You look like someone who's screaming for attention, actually.

[ And she would know exactly what that looks like. She used to date a man who wore a giant s'mores on his head. ]

[survivalthroughhate]

[His eyes narrow when she says he's screaming for attention. He is not! He most certainly is.]

You must be new. Any notoriety I have is, shall we say, for the wrong reasons and I have no desire to try and do better for the sake of people that already hate me. There's no point to it.

[catchatting]

Okay. I can work with that. Being hated by certain people can be part of branding. More Avril Lavigne, less Britney. A bit of edge and a "who cares" attitude.

[ Her brows furrow in thought. It's not how she brands herself, but she's seen this done well and if there's one thing she really does understand, it's branding. ]

I'm Zari, everyone's favorite Dragon Girl. We'll figure out your branding, too.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul blinks a few times in surprise. He didn't understand half of what this woman had just said. Then she just surges on ahead and he's left even more confused. Wait a minute, what the heck is going on here?!]

I don't recall asking for your help at any point during this conversation.

[catchatting]

Maybe not, but I do love to give to my fans.

[ She winks. ]

See? Branding.

[survivalthroughhate]

[He leans back, rubbing at one of his temple horns. He can feel a headache coming on. Venge puts a paw on his leg in sympathy.]

There are some days I just don't understand people.

[catchatting]

Ohh, broody. That goes in and out of style, but we can work with that, too.

[ Yeah, she's just going to keep making plans... ]

[survivalthroughhate]

………….It’s impossible to get you to stop now that you’ve started, isn’t it?

[There's a resigned note to his voice. Look, he’s met an abundance of these personalities in the last town, so he’s not surprised the trend is continuing here.]

[catchatting]

I didn't get to where I am in life by stopping. Did you?

[ A raised eyebrow. ]

[survivalthroughhate]

[He pauses for a moment.]

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