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[Ariadne's gotten good enough with her Omni that the feed only wobbles a little bit when she turns it on. That's progress! No one's getting sea sick. Hopefully.

She's standing on the threshold, between her building and her garden, moonlight lighting up her silhouette. She's wearing her gold gown, clearly eager to make a good impression. Her long hair is unbound, falling nearly to her calves in rolling waves. It gives her the look of some kind of forest spirit (but she's not one, Maul, shut up).

Arrayed behind her is Serenity Garden. Which would look a bit more impressive in sunlight, but Ariadne's done her best to arrange lanterns to illuminate everything. She does, however, continually cast a concerned glance over her shoulder. You can't trust fire, you can't turn your back on it.]

Well, it's April. So I was planning to announce the opening of Serenity Garden to the public. It's just meant to be a nice place where you can sit, meditate, talk with a friend, court your lover. Just be in nature. All are welcome, but no violence against the other guests or the trees.

...hopefully the sun will be back soon so you can enjoy seeing it in the daylight.

[But it's Trench, so that may not be a sure thing. She can only hope.

Although, on the subject of hope:]

Also, the anniversary of my birth is at the end of the month. Does that mean I should expect some kind of mysterious gift? Any thoughts on what that might be? Just so I can...prepare myself.

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[Oh, indeed he does meditate on a near daily basis. It just so happens the way Maul was taught to meditate involves keeping his emotions close at hand and unfortunately his usual emotional state is some sort of anger.

He thinks over what he might be able to do to help Riot. After all, Airy does so love her trees. It would be a shame to have one of them die.]

I could see if I could create a rig that will create artificial sunlight for him. [Maul has a technical mind. He's made custom modifications to his hovercycle and his own ship before, plus rewiring the entirety of his house while he's been renovating it now for two years.] It might help at least temporarily while the darkness is at hand.

Artificial sunlight.

[She pronounces the words carefully, as if she's learning a new language.

Which isn't too far off from the truth.]

I didn't know that was possible.

Edited 2022-04-02 01:32 (UTC)

Yes, it is not too difficult to create a lamp which will produce artificial sunlight if you know what you are doing.

[Which Maul most assuredly does. It will be a change for him too, creating something instead of always giving in to his destructive nature.]

I knew Varian could do something like that, but it sounded...I don't know, magical.

It sounds like you're talking about science?

[They're both equally mystifying to her.]

[Maul laughs, amused at Airy's understanding of science. He knows she comes from a primitive universe and can see how science would be mixed up with magic if one didn't know any better.]

Yes. That is exactly what it is. Science. Such a light source is not so complicated to make. All you need is a proper power source and the parts for it.

Perhaps, between the two of you, you could save us all.

[She smiles faintly.]

Do you know Varian?

I do. He is-- [Maul pauses. He's still unsure of where he and the young inventor stand with one another. He'll have to address that eventually but for now he's still giving the teen some space.] --has been a good friend.

[Ariadne's eyes gleam with clear fondness.]

He's quite wonderful. He tried to make it so I would be able to keep my wings.

[It didn't work. But the effort was so incredibly sweet.]</small. You should speak with him. Help set up the lights.

No.

[Maul's voice holds the same quality as a large wooden door slamming shut. Like there's no argument and the matter is closed.]

That is not a good idea.

[She blinks.]

What? Talking to Varian?

Yes. Things are.....complicated between us right now and I do not wish to speak with him.

[Not when Varian had specifically requested space. It's barely been a month since he asked for that and Maul knows that's not enough time to heal the wounds he caused.]

Oh.

[She's going to have to ask Varian about that. Getting feelings out of Maul is a task too complicated for her.]

I'm sorry to hear that. Is there any way I can help?

Ariadne, leave it alone.

[The rarity of actually using the name of anyone he is familiar with combined with the sharp, growling tone he uses makes it clear that Maul does not want to talk any further about this subject.]

[She doesn't blink or flinch.

She does consider snarling at him. But decides against it this time. He's in his right mind. Kind of.]

A simple "no" would suffice, Maul.

No, it wouldn't.

[He says bluntly.]

You're a good person. Good people like to fix things that are broken, especially when it's between two other people. Unfortunately, sometimes there's no fixing things. It's like shattering a window. You can pick up all the pieces and put them back together but all the cracks are still there to see.

[An apt metaphor for the state of Maul himself. He knows he's broken in so many ways that will never, ever be able to be fixed. He's coping with the shattered remains and doing the best he can.]

[For once, it's a metaphor she understands. Then again, Maul's never been one for idioms.

She listens thoughtfully, nodding her head once.]

You're right. I do like to fix things.

But ultimately, I can't fix a relationship between two people who aren't me. That's up to the two of them. I do understand that.

Which means I will respect your wishes.

Good. Because this time there may be no fixing what is broken.

[Maul sounds angry and bitter about that but moreso he's just....resigned. Like he expected this to happen all along and isn't surprised that it had come to pass.]

There's always a way. Sometimes it's just...very, very hard.

[She holds up her hands in surrender.]

But that's all I'll say. Believe it or not, I do understand complicated relationships.

I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive Anakin.

This is true. But I have never shied away from difficult situations.

[That much is true. Maul's courage and determination are two of his best traits and they have served him well many a time.

He snorts at the mention of Anakin, a small smirk hovering across his red-and-black features.]

I wouldn't either. The man has the emotional range of a teaspoon and apologizing for things he's done wrong is far beyond the scope of his two braincells.

[She sighs, shaking her head.]

I'm beginning to fear you may be right.

It is not an easy thing to admit when one is wrong. I know that very well. If he is ever to mature past being just an angry boy who throws temper tantrums when things do not go his way, he needs to learn it too.

Yes, you're right.

[She shakes her head again.]

The problem is, I'm not the one who needs to be convinced of it.

[Maul chuckles grimly.]

Yes. But I am not going to be the one to teach him either. All he wants from me at the present is my head on the end of a spike.

Same. I mean, I'm not going to teach him. He won't listen to me.

[Whether or not he wants her head on a spike is...debatable. He'll never forgive her for looking like...]

I think we both know who it needs to be. The one who can get through to him.

[Maul shakes his head, tipping it downwards just a little bit in an unconscious fashion like he's about to ram someone or something with his horns.]

Doubtful. Love is blind and no one wants to be told the one they love the most is a selfish, petulant boy who has acted monstrous to multiple people.

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