deernet | [VIDEO]; UN: [USERNAME NOT SET]

[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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

Well, I wouldn't phrase it quite like that...

I stand by what I said. I don't hold back for the sake of tact or to spare the feelings of others.

It's not tact or sparing feelings. It's...

[She considers the right word for a moment.]

Guile. People are more willing to help you, if they like you.

So instead of insulting Anakin, say that he needs help.

Perhaps I will. But I doubt it will do any good.

[Maul's a bit pessimistic on the subject of Skywalker. From what he's seen over the past year, he's not all that impressed.]

Nothing worth doing is ever easy.

That's what Princess Amanda used to tell us.

That is the opposite of what the Dark Side feels like. It is very easy to fall into it.

Does it feel worth doing?

It does when that is all you know.

[Which is a bit of a non-answer answer to the question but Maul has always been very good at those.]

I'm not sure that's an answer. But no matter. I don't want to have a debate. I'm not good at that sort of thing.

[She sighs.]

Anyway, there's no point to speculating. Neither of us is responsible for Anakin Skywalker.

No, we are not. If only everyone else would realize that, stop babysitting him,a and let him fall into failure as he deserves.

...I think that might be a mistake.

Power needs to be checked. Doesn't it?

He is neither a child, no matter how much he acts like one, nor is he insane. If he cannot learn to control himself, then he has learned not a single thing the Jedi taught him.

[Maul wouldn't be surprised. Everything goes in one ear and out the other with Anakin.]

I'm not arguing about that.

[She sighs.]

I just don't want him to hurt anyone else.

As has been impressed on me many a time by those who wish the same thing from me, only he can make that decision. Unfortunately for us all, he seems to have a knack for making all the wrong ones and none of the right.

(no subject)

demonicbeauty - 2022-05-30 16:47 (UTC) - Expand

survivalthroughhate - 2022-05-31 08:06 (UTC) - Expand

demonicbeauty - 2022-05-31 14:59 (UTC) - Expand

survivalthroughhate - 2022-06-01 02:19 (UTC) - Expand