video UN: vault thief

[phaseflex]

[opening up, amara is beaming at the camera. she's clearly in an alleyway of the willful machine, if the light and bustle a little ways off from her is any indication. she has a huge bag of popcorn in one hand, the other holding the omni-- her signature tattoos glow across her arms and neck, though right now they're a bright orange instead of the usual blue.]

Yoooo! This market has orange popcorn! You have no idea how long it's been since I've had some! [a truly unfortunate and very strange looking dog briefly pops into frame as it makes a lunge for the popcorn with a long, prehensile tongue. amara doesn't seem too bothered by it, responding by lifting the bag up and chiding it;] Not for you, Skag. This is people food.

[moving on...]

I'm Amara! I am known as the Tiger of Partali, the wisest cowboy to ever walk the land and possible brain surgeon! That last one involves a lot more metaphysical punching than you would expect. Anyway! That giant snake is an equally giant pain in the ass, so I'm gonna tear its head off and give it to the Hunters in lieu of a resumé. Anyone down to join? It'll be a fun evening out!

Comments

[survivalthroughhate]

You must have missed the part where three witches put a curse on me shortly before the town collapsed and everything was laid waste.

[phaseflex]

Apparently I did. This has not given you any reason for self-reflection at all? I'm impressed.

[survivalthroughhate]

All it has given me is seven months of pent-up rage. I had to kill a good friend here several months back and had to feel his pain as he died. Oh, they did such a "good thing" putting that on me. As if I will ever learn anything by being forced into it.

[phaseflex]

I am sorry. [she says nothing more, because she doesn't want him to think she pities him. she does not.] Tell me, what does the curse do, exactly? Is it just relegating who you can turn your weapons on?

[survivalthroughhate]

[Were it someone else, Maul would have snapped at them he didn't want their fucking pity. But he knows just enough about Amara to know she doesn't think that way. She's tough and has fought for survival. She knows the score.]

Whenever I hurt someone, I feel pain as well. They put a leash and muzzle on me like I was a rabid dog.

[And Maul has had quite enough of people treating him like he's an animal instead of a person.]

[phaseflex]

I'm sure you're the only one who's been cursed like this, yes? [she sniffs, clearly put off by it.] What was the breaking point?

[survivalthroughhate]

Of course. I'm the eternal boogeyman who haunts the town after all. [Of course, Maul leaned into that reputation a lot, but still complained when people believed it. He wanted it both ways and was irritated that couldn't be so.] That post that Ironwood and Glitch made. They were upset "no one was doing anything" and apparently decided forcing me to obey was the best course of action. As if anyone can get me to do anything I don't want to do.

[phaseflex]

Ugh, Ironwood. Little man clearly wanted more power. [she won't comment on glitch.] It's an awful line to toe. Is there a way to break the curse?

[survivalthroughhate]

People are always so easy to trust politicians when they have a lot of charisma and are able to say a bunch of pretty words. [Maul should know. He was raised by one.] But in the end all most of them want is just more power to rule over the populace with.

Yes. I have to feel true remorse for what I've done. [He snorts and looks extremely angry.] Might as well have made it stealing a star from the night sky for how likely it is to happen for me.

[phaseflex]

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. It's clearly just making you angrier!

[survivalthroughhate]

I'm glad someone understands this. So many people have been all "Oh no, this is a good thing, Maul, now you can reflect over what you've done." Well, I don't feel remorse for anything I've done and I'm not going to anytime soon. If they had truly wanted to see that from me, they would have worked with me instead of against me. They just wanted to punish me and hide behind noble reasons.

[phaseflex]

...


And there's no other way to break the curse?

[survivalthroughhate]

None. But I am getting tired of waiting, for my patience is not the greatest.

[phaseflex]

Bullshit. I'm looking into this. Either way-- can you still fight monsters? Perhaps we can find something to carve up.

[survivalthroughhate]

Yes, monsters don't set off the curse. And I would welcome stabbing one right about now.

[phaseflex]

I am always down for fighting monsters, my dearly detested. You hit me up any time you want to get your stab on. Do you know any good places, or does the new girl have to pick herself?

[survivalthroughhate]

The Gate is a place where there are always a few monster about to fight. If not, we can simply trawl the streets until we run into one.

[phaseflex]

I'll meet you there and we can break some skulls. I'm needing to vent some frustration out, too. It's a win/win.