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

[morningstud]

You should consider it.

[Seriously, buddy. Also don't jump to the worst possible conclusion.]

Yes... I've had much the same experience with Ceres.

[And he just sort of pivots his device a bit to show off a stern-looking cat before moving it back to him.]

It's... quite a strange thing to become aware of, isn't it?

[survivalthroughhate]

So people keep telling me.

[It's one of the things he's trying to work on but it's far down on the list considering some of the other things he's got at the top include "Not killing people in horribly painful ways when they piss him off."]

Very much so. Becoming aware of one's best and worst qualities in an external force is something I never thought I would experience.

[Of course, he should know better than to never say never where cities run by Pthumerians are concerned.]

[morningstud]

It does take some effort.

[Said like how someone might discuss the weather. There's no barb to it at all.]

Is that what yours is?

[He turns to look at Ceres for a moment, who just looks at him like he suspects a normal cat would.]

I'm not so sure that's what Ceres is.

[survivalthroughhate]

Hence why I consider not doing it at all.

[Maul isn't one to put forth effort for things he doesn't care about. That is one of them.]

I think so. They are far better than me at expressing themselves at any rate.

[morningstud]

I can see.

[He looks to the creature next to Maul with great interest.]

You should listen to them.

[survivalthroughhate]

[Maul looks at Venge who is sitting there with their eyes wrinkled up and looking far too smug for his liking.]

I don’t know. They already think I should do that anyway.

[morningstud]

[He's not sure what to say right away, but he's suddenly completely sorry that Dr. Linda has had to deal with his own attitude towards things for so many years.]

I'd say a stranger with no real horse in the race agreeing is a compelling argument, is it not?

[survivalthroughhate]

Sometimes listening to someone you don’t care about the opinion of is the smartest idea, for they have no reason to lie to you.

[morningstud]

Precisely! I don't have any emotional stake in this situation. It's a bit like being a therapist, I suppose.