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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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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.

It is...impressive. His ability.

One would almost think he does it deliberately, but I doubt he would keep at it considering how miserable he makes both himself and others who care about him.

And maybe that's what he has to realize...

[She shakes her head.]

Thank you, Maul. As always, you've given me much to think about.

I am glad. Stay well, Ariadne.

[And with that, he signs off.]

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