deercountry | October 2021 Event Overflow

"Our planet is mostly water, but it's not completely an ocean planet. There's lots of land, too, and a completely land species that's all sent--" What was the word again? "All people like. They're called humans." Then he remembers Maul originally thought he was human, so this isn't a new species to Maul. "You've heard of them. Anyway, turning human is probably mostly helpful because in my world, most humans don't really like us very much."

He listens as Maul reminisces, thinking about a time when he felt the same way as he imagines Maul to have felt.

"I know someone like that. He and I look out for each other and protect each other from bullies. Or...we did when I was back home, because he isn't in the Trench. He's purple, too! But not a fearsome killer. Which is a good thing, because I wouldn't want him to have to kill anybody."

Neither Luca nor Alberto were the killing type, after all.

"Oh, so you are from Earth? I thought there was only one sentient species on that planet!" Maul looks quite affronted as if everyone has been deliberately lying to him this entire time. Wait. What if they have? What else have they been lying to him about?! Looks like it's paranoia o'clock for Maul as the high continues.

Maul listened attentively. "Ah. And do you find him to be...attractive?" Now this is adorable, watching the little guy talk about his friend like that. Maul really is genuinely curious as to whether or not Luca might have a crush on Alberto. This was just the age when kids started to develop puppy (or was it more appropriate to use the term dogfish when a child lived underwater?) love crushes on one another.

"Most humans think that, too. We usually hide. And I don't think most of the ones that do spot us in our natural forms know we can talk or anything."

At least, he's sure someone like Massimo would have never hunted them knowing that, and he did stop once he found out Luca and Alberto were sea monsters. To the next question...Luca blushes.

"...yeah," he admits.

"Human beings on Earth are so very primitive," Maul says with a shake of his head. "You show them there is more than one sentient species and suddenly they are surprised. Such small thinking. I am glad my galaxy has mostly moved beyond such thinking." Xenophobia was pretty rampant in some parts of the galaxy but Maul would have gleefully killed anyone who discriminated against him purely because he was a Dathomirian Zabrak.

Oh, this is too precious for words. A definite smile makes its way across Maul's face, a rare expression for the Sith Lord. This is a very good conversation to be having while his mind is altered. Normally, he'd never be able to talk frankly as much as he is right now. "That's lovely, to have someone you feel about like that. Perhaps you can tell him if he ever arrives here."

"Huh. Your galaxy sounds pretty nice. Back home humans are learning, there's some humans in the town near we live that are okay with us now, but that's a pretty recent thing."

As in, a very rapid turnaround on the last day he remembers before he appeared in this place. Likely due to the fact that the sea monsters the townsfolk found were a pair of children who had been living there disguised as humans for days without causing any trouble. Also because Massimo, a well respected individual, stood up for them.

As for his crush... "Yeah. I hope I get the chance to tell him."

"Yes, they are very primitive," Maul says, repeating himself. "They take a long, long time when it comes to dealing with other species. Sometimes, it seems they would rather destroy themselves than be forced to admit the universe is big enough to share." Of course, other species did that too, but since human beings were the most plentiful in Maul's galaxy he was of course going to blame them.

He pats Luca fondly on the head, not caring at all for boundaries or personal space. "I'm sure you will. I hope it ends well for you." Young love was a very cute thing to behold and Maul remembers his own with great fondness even if it all ended badly.

"Yeah...I mean, some of them aren't so bad and can learn to accept other species with a little bit of time, but...it's definitely something that takes a lot of work."

And near death experiences on the part of the non-human in that situation. Luca doesn't mind being patted on the head, especially right now, and he just smiles.

"Thanks. Me too. I just hope he shows up at all."

Because there's no guarantee that even that will happen.

"Yes and some never seem to want to put in that work. Fortunately, almost no one here seems to be like that." The Sleepers were very tolerant and Maul is thankful for it. Aside from the shock of his appearance, most people didn't give a second thought that he was an entirely different species.

"Give it time. I was here for almost a year on my own before someone from my galaxy showed up. Once they did, it was like a snowball rolling downhill. More and more kept appearing and now there is a fair group of us here in the city." Maul normally wasn't so optimistic but he's happily out of his mind and feeling good.

He leans back and yawns, starting to feel a little sleepy after thinking through the haze for so long.

"Yeah, I've noticed. It's really nice, 'cause back home it took a lot to get people to start accepting us, but here they just seem to accept that I'm a sea monster and that's okay."

And that was way better than having to be afraid again, desperately hiding what he was until someone important in the community might decide to stand up for him.

"That's good to know. I was kind of worried no one showing up meant no one would ever show up."

So it gives him hope, at least. Sure, there were people from home he'd rather not see, but he's fine with taking that chance if it might mean he'll see Alberto again. Seeing Maul yawn, Luca yawned too, his own head feeling heavy from the intoxicating effects of the candy he ate earlier.

"Maybe we should go home and go to bed."

"It is perfectly okay," Maul said firmly. "If anyone says otherwise, you bring them to me, and I will set them straight." Probably in a violent and horribly scary manner, but hey, it was the thought that counted. Perhaps it is just because he is high but is growing very fond of the little sea monster.

"No. One must have hope. I have learned that myself." Maul never would have admitted to such a thing sober but he'd begun to learn the lesson well after spending so much time here with his friends. The power of friendship and love and all that good stuff.

"Yes. A bed would be good." Maul got up, sways for a moment, and then used Luca for balance, resting a hand on the kid's shoulder until he felt the world stop spinning around him. Alright, now he was good to start walking. Good thing his prosthetics could just move and he didn't have to rely on flesh-and-blood legs right now. They likely would have just caused him to keel back over onto the ground.

"Thanks. There are a lot of people here who said the same thing. It's so nice that everyone in this place is so nice."

The warm and fuzzy 'everybody is nice' feeling was only enhanced but the general fuzziness Luca had been feeling all over. He feels even warmer and happier when Maul reminds him to have hope. Only to wobble a lot when he feels Maul's weight on his shoulder. He doesn't stop smiling, though, even if the smile becomes slightly more strained as he focuses on keeping his own balance. Fortunately, Maul's able to hold up his own weight soon enough.

With a wave, Luca says, "Well, see you around!"

October 2021 Event Overflow

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