Because there has been a great misunderstanding over the identity of who recently killed a man here, and as usual, I am being blamed.

[Looks like Maul's victim complex is rising up again. But in his defense, in this case he actually does have some just cause for being upset that everyone seems to have immediately condemned him without actually finding out what happened or even talking to him.]

No one saw who did it. All they know is that it was someone with a 'light sword' did it. Of which, need I remind you, there are four of us here who have one. But everyone immediately jumped to me as the being the one who did it. Fern said he thought it was me and Anakin--[He growls the man's name out with all the anger and contempt he can muster.] --didn't bother to explain he'd done it. He just sat there and let me be used as a scapegoat.

There's a man on the network who posted under the username 'lowell.' I don't know who he is. He spoke of the death of someone named Flynn, though I don't know if that's his friend, brother, or lover. I don't think he was there for the death, he just found his body with the marks of a lightsaber on it. He asked who had done it.

There was some small speculation but Fern immediately thought of me and planted the idea in his head I did it. He wants revenge understandably.

Anakin came on, completely unrepentant about what he'd done-- [Maul scoffs under his breath 'Some Jedi.'] --and didn't correct him on the mistaken identity. So if he goes around telling people 'Maul killed Flynn', he really means Anakin, but no one is really going to understand that.

[And Maul takes one giant breath after relaying the tale.]

So you can understand why I am a little bit angry with the public at large right now.

Thank you for that, Usagi.

[It's a good feeling to know someone is in his corner, especially someone who knows many of the Sleepers and has some sway with them.]

No. I fear this will just confuse him further. He may think he's being deliberately tricked. I am going to try to talk some sense into Anakin-- [Look at that, Maul actually talking to someone instead of trying to kill them! Growth! ....Alas, Anakin will not listen because he's being dumb.] --And if he doesn't clear up this mess I'm tempted to publicly force a confession out of him like Savage has suggested.

You know I see the worst in people, always the bad before the good. But I don't take any pleasure in being right this time.

[Maul sounds tired and there's just a small note of defeat in his voice. He's been trying to do better. He really has. This place was a second chance for him and he didn't want to waste it. But to immediately be painted as a monster before the first month was even out was very disheartening. As Obi-Wan had once remarked, he didn't enjoy being a monster, it was just the role he was most comfortable playing.]

I wonder why I have even bothered with trying let go of some of my anger and hate. Clearly, some here are never going to fully give me that second chance no matter how much they claim people deserve it.

[He is one sad Zabrak right now.]

....I haven't told him. I thought, perhaps, if I could talk some sense into Anakin-- [Or beat it into him with a hammer, whichever was more effective.] --He wouldn't need to be told.

[It was strange. After all the misery Maul had caused him over the course of his life, he should have been jumping at the chance to twist a dagger into his heart and cause him more pain. But after the talk they'd had on the beach when they first got here, Maul has finally given up some of his hatred towards the man. He knows what Anakin did is going to hurt his old foe and in his own strange way Maul wants to spare him that. He's not sure why. Maybe, just maybe, the capability to feel a different way about Obi-Wan is finally starting to worm its way into his head and hearts.]

That is a very large 'if'. We revived because we were in a dream. This is the real world.

[At least his moody pessimism has just cause this time.

Actions have consequences. Maul has been told that many times but only now is he finally beginning to understand that. No one could force him to no matter who tried. Varian had, many times, and all it had done was strain their relationship over and over again. Ironwood and Glitch had made an entire video calling him out and the only effect was to make him stubbornly dig his heels in. Constantine and the other witches had tried to force the lesson in an almost literal manner onto him by cursing him and the only end result for their efforts was to make him supremely pissed-off. Even Usagi has tried and he's brushed her off every time.

Now, he's finally understanding it on his own schedule and under his own terms. It's not a fun lesson to learn.]

Then I won't tell him unless it absolutely becomes necessary. [The first time he's ever shown his longtime adversary anything like mercy.] Obi-Wan's idiot apprentice won't want to listen to me but perhaps you could try?

I would like to say that's surprising but I believe you can do just about anything you want to with your powers.

[Even if that was reviving the dead. Maul wonders if Usagi really is the most powerful person in the city given all that she can do.

Maul looks displeased at the thought that Anakin couldn't see just how great Usagi was. If even someone like Maul could grow to love her, then clearly anyone who didn't was defective.]

I'm not sure he likes anyone which makes me wonder what Obi-Wan and his paramour must see in him.

[Does he even have any moods besides angry or weeping?]

It is. Having most of your major organs eviscerated with a hot blade of plasma means most victims die instantly.

[Even those that lingered, like Qui-Gon after Maul had sadistically run him through, usually only lasted a short amount of time.]

The same thing that happened to me, I am afraid. My master sunk his claws deep into his mind and he's been brainwashed to think he can give him what he most desires, which is to save the woman he so dearly loves.

[Maul's learned quite a bit about Anakin's situation since he first came to Deerington but it hasn't made him one iota more sympathetic towards the young Jedi's plight.]

It will not be easy. Look at me. I haven't fully succeeded even after all the time I have been trying. And Skywalker is frightfully stubborn and has all the brain capacity of an amoeba.....actually, an amoeba might be a generous comparison.

[The one thing he will admit that Anakin has going for him is that he is a Jedi, so getting him back on the Light Side should be easier than it has been for Maul, who has naturally been on the Dark Side his entire life.]

I don't think he listens to anyone, which is partially how he's gotten himself into this mess. He also doesn't think at all which is the other part of the problem. Knowing Sidious, he's whispered honeyed words into his ears and told him exactly what he wants to hear without ever intending on fulfilling on what he has promised.

[Maul sighs, massaging his temples up by his horns. Really, Anakin makes him tired with how much of a disaster he seems to be most of the time.]

Short of showing him any number of childhood memories of how cruel he was to me, I doubt he'll listen. My master can be incredibly persuasive that way.

Absolutely not.

[Maul says with the same firmness as a door that has been slammed shut.]

You always say people will not use my past against me but I can guarantee you that Jedi would. I shan't put myself in a vulnerable position just to teach him what it took me seventeen years to figure out: that my master cares about no one but himself.

What a pity a good beating won't realign his mind. If it could, I definitely would have done so by now.