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[survivalthroughhate]

"This is Darth Maul. Say what you must."

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Feel free to also use this for overflow, thread ideas we didn't get to in previous events, etc!

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[opress]

"Aren't we all simply animals on some level, brother?" There were plenty of species on Dathomir and beyond that were intelligent but still considered animals. He wondered if his brother could frame a request like that, or if the fox was too wily for such antics. Of course, he did swell with pride that his brother would have requested his presence here some time ago if it had been possible. That had to mean that he was greatly useful to Maul, and he enjoyed that sentiment as a matter of pride.

Of course his brother would attempt both; he had seen other Brothers attempt when he was growing up, and it hadn't gone well for them. However, this was Maul and Savage was a firm believer that his brother was capable of the impossible given his extensive training and experience. It was likely very possible that Maul could achieve both ends, and he would simply have to stand in awe of that yet again. "As always, you have an edge over others of our clans. You know I will support whatever it is that you wish to do, my brother."

He nodded his head, settling back in the warm water now that the shock of his brother having a mate had worn down some. "And what have you deduced? Aside from us requiring social interaction with others in order to thrive?" That wasn't where he personally saw his potential going, and Talzin had not seen fit to enhance any of his social qualities; he didn't serve well if he was talking after all.

[survivalthroughhate]

Maul almost smiled a little when Savage pointed out everyone here was an animal in some way. This was why he knew his brother was not stupid no matter what others in their galaxy like Pre Vizsla thought. People looked at the pair of them and saw Maul as being the smart one with Savage only being dumb muscle but that simply wasn't true. Savage was smart and observant in his own way. He just happened to be far quieter and less prone to dramatics than his older brother. "Well, yes, but she will not bring sapient animals here," he explained. "Only those dumb ones which serve as pets or beasts of burden." Nothing he'd seen could change her mind on that just yet.

"I am glad for that, Savage." Having his brother as his strong right hand again made a warm feeling come to his hearts and Maul was once again thankful that his little brother had been restored to him here. It just hadn't felt right not having Savage around like his shadow, a part of himself he sometimes forgot about but which he could not function without.


Maul's voice carried a harsh note of anger and his eyes flared back into Sith yellow once again. "The Fox is manipulative. She puts on a sweet, kindly persona but her motivations appear to run far darker than most people wish to acknowledge." Perhaps he was projecting a bit but after experiencing life at the hands of his master, Maul was prone to seeing through that kind of persona when he saw it around him in others. "She wants us to act in certain ways, and when we do not, she does not hesitate to punish us."

[opress]

The transformation had dulled some of his intelligence on purpose, to keep a certain compliance. However, he learned and he employed that knowledge to his brother especially. He could care less if anyone else thought of him as little more as a dumb brute who followed the whims and orders of a smarter and more talented Darth Maul. "What is the point of that limitation? It sounds like a tease of the possibilities." Maybe it was a showcase of power without making it clear the full extent of what could be.

He nodded his head to add a sort of finishing touch to his words. If he were able to reach his own full potential here, he could serve Maul's goals further and faster. He focused on that notion, not the potential that things might not go as he hoped or that his kin might someday be disinclined to endure what his actual potential was. Maul had accepted him as brother - sort of - and he wondered what this version of his brother would do. "You can always count on me."

He tilted his head, considering the outburst at face value as it was all he knew. He frowned. "We must follow her directives in the manner she deems socially acceptable otherwise she will find ways to force us in line." That sounded like many of his relationships with masters and Brothers and Sisters. "How has she wronged you, brother?"

[survivalthroughhate]

“Perhaps it is a way to keep us in line,” Maul mused, sinking a little further down into the water as he did so. “A reminder that what she can bring she can also take away just as easily.” It was a menacing thought, one he wondered if many Star Children actually realized. Thirteen could just as easily send Star Children back to where they came from, regardless of if they still had loved ones in Folkmore.

Maul frowned and looked away at Savage’s . “She made me come here to begin with,” he said softly, the edge of a snarl in his voice. To leave behind those in Trench was something he was not going to forgive her for. And as much as he loved his little brother being here, now he had all sorts of thoughts of there being multiple Savages in the multiverse who needed their big brother and who he would not be able to be with or protect. He didn’t like that idea being planted into his head. Not one bit.

Suddenly, he stood up in the hot springs, hot water dripping off his form as steam rose around him. “I think we’ve spent enough time here. Come. I will take you home.” He’d never tell Savage out loud but he’d been hoping against hope that his brother would end up in Folkmore and so he’d deliberately chosen a house that had multiple rooms in it. Just in case.

[opress]

"Our new Master without chains or whips," he said simply. There was no need to yet be disillusioned by this place because he had come here on purpose and had not yet seen or done for himself what he had set out to do. If anything, Maul being here provided all the more incentive to discover if this place could fulfill the promise of learning of ones potential.

He shrugged, not bothered by having been brought here. He could tell that there were aspects of his brother's arrival that caused strife in the older Zabrak's mood. He expected losing a loved mate would turn anyone's anger, and he could not particularly relate. Yet, he tipped his head up when Maul suddenly stood in the springs, considering his brother for a long quiet moment.

"As you wish, brother," he said without a fight. He cared little for this place or wherever it was that they would be going. He pushed himself up to stand and stepped out of the springs. "Where is home for you... er, us? I can sleep on the floor or wherever there is room for me." He was already moving off to dry off with a towel so that he could pull on his clothing and armour.

[survivalthroughhate]

"Well said," Maul told Savage with a nod. That was indeed how he felt about Thirteen. Having a master in any capacity irked him and especially right now, with one who expected her orders to be obeyed lest anyone who didn't would have to end up being punished.

Maul had grabbed a towel and was busy "On the floor? Nonsense," Maul said curtly. "You shall have a bedroom of your own." Though he suspected his brother would end up next to him in the overly large bed Maul had of his own. He hadn't slept well without anyone by his side since Luke had found a place of his own to call home. It was back to thrashing around and waking up constantly at night.

He made a mental note to go see where one might find Legos in Folkmore. If there was none to be found, he'd simply conjure some into existence for the two of them to work on.

[opress]

In time, he would inquire about what sort of punishments and pain they were endure for going against the Fox-god. He expected with the anger that radiated off of Maul that his brother had experienced and likely witnessed such tactics in play. His brother did not generally play well with stronger entities if there was such a power imbalance, and he would have to learn from any mistakes made so that he could find his own path through to assist his brother in whatever was necessary.

He nodded his head as he rubbed the towel over himself, watching his brother doing the same. "You have two bedrooms where you are staying?" Savage might stay the first night on his own, but inevitably one of his greatest successes with Maul was forcing his brother to sleep close to him over their travels. It was part of their unspoken bond, and he was unlikely to give up that win for long. "I assume my feet will hang over the edge?" Seven and a half foot long beds were hard to come by.

He tossed the towel over his shoulder and moved off to pull his clothing and strap on his armour again.

[survivalthroughhate]

"Three. One must always be prepared," Maul told Savage. He didn't explain it was because he had friends and family he was always hoping would end up in Folkmore, such as Savage himself, or the ones already in Folkmore if they needed a place to stay.

"For now, it will be a tight fit. Do not worry. I shall request an extra-large bed for you," Maul reassured him, patting him on the prosthetic arm. He'd only been able to find a normal-sized bed given the limited amount of furniture that had been available at the time. But for Savage? Maul was willing to spend any amount of Spoons to make his brother feel comfortable.

[opress]

"Prepared for what, brother?" When he knew Maul, they had a ship with its small beds and crew spaces. The idea that his brother had saved him a room on the off chance that he might arrive created an unexpected warmth in his chest; he had always liked to think that their bond had been true and strong as he had once had with Feral. He blinked, only just considering the possibility of the extra room possibly being for their youngest brother. "Perhaps... you will have the opportunity to meet Feral...."

He shrugged his shoulders, not particularly bothered by a small bed. He had slept on worse, and he always had the floor which was a space he was used to inhabiting for sleep. "There is no need. If these... spoons must be gathered, I can work towards such items myself, yes?" It meant talking to people, so that might be a challenge, but he had to be as independent of Maul as he was dependent. "And how does... the use of these items work here, brother?"

[survivalthroughhate]

"Oh, prepared for anything," Maul said vaguely. His eyes did light up at the thought of their youngest sibling arriving. "Yes. We shall keep a room open for him." Maul had always wanted to meet him, and though the last two worlds had not brought Feral to them, there was always a chance he might come here. Maul thought from what Savage had told him about Feral that this place might suit his gentler spirit than Deerington or Trench ever would have.

"As you wish, Savage." Frankly, Maul was delighted with the idea of Savage being forced to talk to people despite his standoff nature. It meant he'd soon be able to find friends and perhaps a mate in time. And Maul wouldn't even have to push him as he usually did! "What do you mean, brother? Things that are summoned like a lightsaber or a bed?"

i'm so sorry about how dumb this is....

[opress]

Savage had thought that Maul's opinion of their youngest sibling would go one of two ways: protectiveness over Feral's gentler nature or anger to his perceived weakness. Now that he had traveled with Maul, he hoped that it was more protectiveness. After all, if Feral were to ever choose to come here, he would be pushing the youngest Zabrak to Maul to deal with the guilt of taking his own flesh and blood's life on an order he could not refuse. "You would have to show him around with your more advanced knowledge of this place." If Maul accepted Feral, their little brother would have the best protection this place had to offer.

He nodded his head as he pulled on his pauldrons, securing one into place on his shoulder before moving to the other. If this place required conversation, he would do it and prove to himself he could. He didn't want to, but he also refused to be a burden on Maul as well. "Well... do spoons rain down upon me when I talk and I have to hand them in somewhere? Or are they metaphysical spoons that I won't know how many I have until I ask for something of use to me?" Was he going to need a pack to carry spoons? "Can we take others spoons like we did with credits?"

[survivalthroughhate]

"I will. I would very much like for him to come here." Maul had always wanted to meet his little brother and had found it very unfair that he hadn't gotten the chance to. He'd never blamed Savage for that, not once. That was solely on his mother and the machinations she'd gone through in order to get him back. He had no idea why she sacrificed her youngest and now never would get the chance to ask her why. But perhaps this place would give him another chance, the way it had brought Savage to him.

As Maul got dressed, he did his best not to snicker at Savage's questions, and just barely managed to stifle his laughter. Oh, his poor, poor brother. Sometimes he wondered just what was going on in that horned head. "You will have a physical spoon that is unique to you only. That will gather the Lore that is gained from speaking with people, which is also what the currency is referred to. The Lore is not physical in nature. And no, you cannot steal spoons from people even if you try."

[opress]

Savage could guess why Feral had to die, and he accepted it as he did much of the cruelty that came with being a Nightbrother. His brother was not born with the gift, so his value was far lesser than Maul's or his; or if Feral had it, his sensitivity had not been developed and it had faded away. Savage had spent much of his life protecting his little brother, only to be the one to take his life in the end. "Perhaps he shall. He... never knew about your existence and that seems like a disservice as the two of you look very similar." Feral and Maul looked far more similar than he and Maul.

He could sense his brother's mirth, and he scowled in response. Embarrassment was one step down from full on anger in him, but he knew Maul would not mock him for his lack of understanding. At least not over much. "A spoon will gather information about my words? This seems overly simplified or complicated." He hadn't decided which it was yet being so new to this place. "What if I break the spoon?" What if he ate with the spoon? He didn't dare ask that in case Maul actually laughed.

[survivalthroughhate]

"I have always wanted to meet him." This brother that he looked so much like. Maul guessed he and Feral had taken after their unknown sire, given Savage had taken more after their mother. He'd always wanted his family more than anything else, something that perhaps his mother hadn't quite understood given her love was something she clearly had more of specifically for him than his brothers. If she had, she would not have sacrificed one of them to find him. But it was no use dwelling on a past that could not be changed. Perhaps the fox would see fit to be merciful enough to bring more of his family here as well.

"It is magic," Maul said with a shrug. At least Savage would understand that much. Half of the Nightsister's magick didn't follow any logical roadmap aside from 'powered by the Dark Side', so one just learned to roll with it. "I'm not sure the spoon can be broken, but if you do--" If anyone was going to break one of the spoons by sheer force, it would be the Zabrak approximately the size of a small tank. "--you shall not be able to gain anymore currency to buy anything else until you get a new one. So leave your spoon be."

[opress]

"Perhaps if you use your spoon, you can convince the fox to bring him here." Savage would be content to watch the pair meet and interact, knowing that he had to struggle through an apology for his younger brother. He wondered what they would talk about or if Maul would find Feral an annoyance in time; his brother was far less aggressive then the pair of them and it was unclear to him how Maul would tolerate that. "I'm not... sure what he would do here though." And yet, he didn't deny Feral might be the more social of the two of them these days.

He nodded his head, understanding when put in that context. Witch magic was not something he was meant to understand, simply accept. It was what made him who he was now. "I see. Fine, then I will keep it safe on my person." There would be other items to break in this place.

[survivalthroughhate]

"I will ask her. But I will not plead, cajole, or beg favors from her." Maul had his pride, after all, and even the incentive of getting his family back wouldn't make see him showing deference to the fox the way he was sure she wanted him to. Thirteen wasn't going to break him down. Not now and not ever.

"Good. Start saving up for your lightsaber." Maul wanted to make sure his brother could protect himself and so he could continue Savage's training. His brother would never be as skilled as he was with his own saberstaff but he was certain he could learn more lightsaber forms.

[opress]

Savage paused as he finished with the straps of his pauldrons to regard his brother. "Would you prefer I do such things?" He had very little pride save that as a warrior, but what he did and how he acted outside of that meant very little to him. Who was going to mock him and live to walk away? Even if they did, it could still mean that Feral might be here, safe, protected and able to discover his own potential in a place like this.

He nodded his head, shifting and twisting in his armour to settle it on his body before they went back to his brother's current place of residence. "I will, brother. Until then, any martial weapon will suit me fine." He would not allow himself to be defenseless and be a concern for his brother; they had to be able to operate together and independently.

[survivalthroughhate]

"If I knew for certain it would work, I would. But the capricious nature of the fox makes me think she would have you do all that and still wouldn't grant the request made. We shall wait for the right moment to approach her, if one ever comes." It could always be there would come a moment when Thirteen seemed more amiable to bringing Star Children then at other times. He would watch and wait.

Maul had finished dressing and began to walk off towards where he knew the nearest stop for the catbus was to take them home. "I will find you an axe." He knew his brother had skill with such a weapon and it would be a good way to defend himself in the meantime while he waited to gain enough Lore for his saberstaff.

[opress]

Even if the deity here would be fickle with his plea, he would be willing to do it in order for that off chance of Feral arriving. He would do whatever it took to allow his elder brother to have what he wanted as Maul remained the best of them, but if it wasn't necessary, he would submit to that will as well. "Of course, my brother. We must tread carefully so as not to alert the fox to our plans to seek our full potential." And with that, overthrowing the powers that be or at least carve an area out for themselves.

He followed his brother now that their bathing was completed and they were back to being dressed. As always, he fell in step at Maul's elbow. "An axe would work well. Scimitars as well or swords or anything." He had skills with all such weapons, though his preference remained the axe as it tended to hold up better to his enormous strength. "When I acquire my lightsaber again, you will continue my training, yes?"

[survivalthroughhate]

"Yes. If we are discreet, she might not even care when we start to gain power in this place." Perhaps he wouldn't be able to start a cult in this place the way he had in Trench but there were other ways to gain followers. He'd led others before and could do it again, especially with Savage here again as his strong right hand.

Maul found the catbus stop. "Wait here." He smirked at the mention of continuing Savage's training. "Of course. As the fox said, you have yet to reach your true potential. Part of that will mean growing in strength and skill as a Sith." He was going to make sure Savage was strong enough that no one would ever be able to kill him, not the way it had been so easy for Sidious to do so.

[opress]

He nodded his head. "Do you believe the others brought here to explore their own potential will also allow us to gather power together, brother?" He hadn't been here long enough or encountered enough people to know how any of the power dynamics worked. He could guess that they would not be the only ones looking to carve out a part of the planet for themselves, and he was looking forward to that kind of conflict. It stirred his blood; he wanted to fight.

He stopped where Maul did, looking at the sign and uncertain what it was supposed to indicate. Transit of some kind he supposed. "No, I have not. That's why I came. I need to be better for you, for us." He also had never taken the step to think of what he might want, and it was a mixture of thrilling and terrifying to know he was here because he wanted to be and not because he had been directed or was on a mission that required a certain end goal. This was... personal.

[survivalthroughhate]

"I am sure they will. Most of them are frightfully passive when it comes to doing anything in this place. There might be one or two that we will have to keep a close eye on. Most of them are from the galaxy." He had a feeling Cobb was going to get riled up if he found out Maul was making a power play. He almost hoped he did. It would have been satisfying to watch Savage fold the sheriff in half.

"I will continue your training. We shall refine you into a sharp blade, ready to strike." Savage had been taught the basics of how to use the Force but Maul knew it was time to start refining his brother's abilities. He would try with meditation, though he knew Savage usually just fell asleep during such sessions. Still, he'd find a method that would work, one way or another.

The catbus came charging up with all the usual enthusiasm the feline god possessed. Maul nodded at the creature as if this was perfectly normal. "There is our ride. Come along, Savage."

[opress]

"They don't have a warrior's spirit then. If that's the case, they will be ruled over and the others will be brought to heel." He was curious of those from their galaxy (and other galaxies), and what sort of challenge they would bring up for himself and Maul. As always, he would allow himself to be directed by his elder brother to whichever of their enemies would need to be shown the error of their ways. "We shall tread carefully, but I will fight by your side to establish ourselves." At 7'2", few would want to fight him head on; that much was always true.

"I am always ready for a fight, my brother. It was what I was born to do, and I will learn my potential here." Would that effort eventually bring him into conflict with Maul who was by all intensive purposes stronger than him but in a few ways? He didn't think so, not with how oddly close he found himself to Maul and his brother was reciprocating more than he ever remembered. This 'other' him was someone he would have to learn more about and possibly emulate.

Savage was staring at Maul when there was movement, and he was taken aback when a living feline bus charged up. He snarled and set himself to fight this massive beast before looking at Maul in surprise. "We're going inside this beast, brother? It's Force is strong! Why is it carrying us inside of it?"

[survivalthroughhate]

"You shall make quite an impression on everyone when I introduce you." Maul planned to make a network post as soon as he could that would serve as a warning. One not to mess with his little brother in any capacity. And the other for everyone to stay out of their business, lest he sic Savage on them. It wasn't going to make either of them very popular but since when had Maul ever cared about anything like that?

"There will be many opportunities to test your abilities here. Not only just against the people but the Trials that come every month. They do not all require fighting but some do. We shall strengthen you up physically and mentally to prepare for them all." Plus the Trials were a good way for Savage to make friends and possibly find a mate. So it was all a win-win in the end!

"Of course we are going inside it," Maul said as if this was a perfectly natural thing to do. He stepped forward as the doorway to the inside of the catbus widened enough to accommodate even someone of Savage's formidable size. "I have no idea why the catbus does anything it does. But be sure to show him respect. He is a minor deity and one of the few I've seen powerful to travel to different worlds under nothing more than his own power." Maul may have been making assumptions and come up with his ow narrative due to encountering the catbus in Deerington as well as in Folkmore.

[opress]

"My size always leaves an impression," he agreed. Though, perhaps his impression could be greater if he thought of a way to push Maul's own impressiveness. Normally, he simply had to cross his mismatched arms over his chest and stand behind his brother; his natural intimidation factor was usually enough and Maul brought the magic of language and tone to push the narrative. Would that be enough? Was that a good start to his own potential? "Do you... want me to do more for these introductions?"

Perhaps he would test his abilities against this mode of transportation which was still freaking him out. He stared at its yellow eyes and grinning face, baring his teeth in return as if he had any chance. He growled low in his throat, stepping from the front of the 'bus' towards his elder brother who seemed so nonchalant about riding inside of a beast like this.

"Are you certain we shouldn't just walk, brother?" He had made his way to the side entrance into the catbus, but his focus remained at the head end. The showing respect thing? Well, fear was respect in their world, and he lowered his chin just a touch after Maul's instructions. "If this beast takes us to the dining table of the Fanged God, I will be annoyed. I want to see so much more." Which apparently now included riding in a sentient bus of fur and limbs. Fine. He stepped on board tentatively, and the interior was more familiar. This remained an eye opening experience.