Lilith Howlett

I wanted to draw a silly scene between the two of them, and this is what came out, haha

Ahsoka is trying to cheer Maul up after some bad news 😢

He drained his cup and placed it upside down on the tray momentarily. His hand rested on the base of the cup, with his eyes still closed.

He tried not to think about how his Master had begun his training. Sidious was a master manipulator, and Maul had been just a youngling, far more impressionable than Devon was now.

Sidious had ingratiated himself with Maul’s family. The old human had become the cool uncle whom Maul was dying to impress. By the time he learned the truth about Sidious’s sadistic side, it was too late. Maul was already committed to him. He would have thrown himself upon his lightsaber for the love of his cruel and vindictive Master. At Sidious’s hand, Maul withstood years of torture, and yet at the time, he would have given anything for one kind word. It was all he had ever known. For Maul, it had never been a choice.

Strangely, he didn't want that for Devon. He wanted her to choose him voluntarily. His pride demanded nothing less. Something told him it would result in a stronger connection between Master and Apprentice. A more effective weapon than one groomed, gaslit, and then forced to comply, as he had been.

Devon must share his goals. She should want to be by his side, his ally in the Force, when he faced his old Master. Devon should be driven by her own needs to stay.

Maul’s ambitions had originally come from the need to please his Master. He doubted Devon would ever feel that way about him, but she did share his desire to destroy the Sith. That was still his best approach to this conundrum.

An apprentice with no love for him would never withstand the torture to which he’d been subjected. No, this fragile alliance needed to be handled differently, but how? This was perhaps one of his greatest challenges. As a Jedi, she must despise everything he is and represents, yet he still needed her compliance. In everything.

He turned his cup over and opened his eyes.

There was Devon sitting inches away from him and not looking to flee. It was progress, but he did not mistake her calmness for ease. For he could sense her heartbeat climb whenever their eyes met.

If she fears me, why is she still here? He de-focused his eyes, glanced down into his cup, and perceived a bird following a star in the shapes of the leaves. A good omen, although the bird is fleeting. A bird is a free creature that cannot be tamed, with a predisposition to take flight at a moment’s notice.

The signs pointed to Devon following him, for now. Her reasons, and his revenge, would have to wait. But one wrong move, and he might lose her. He would have to be extremely cautious.

He sighed; his divinations had not brought him comfort. Perhaps he had asked the wrong question?

The sun was almost up. Maul’s mouth felt dry, “I sense something more recent troubles you, Devon. Is this a matter you wish to discuss, perhaps, over tea?”

Devon nodded and joined him on the mats. She waited patiently while he prepared the tea and performed the morning ritual. He offered her a cup.

Devon bowed before receiving it, as was custom, but she remained silent.

He felt a small pang of disappointment, for Devon was yet to formally address him, Master. It irked him. What did he have to do to get through to her? He was her best choice, her only choice, really. She needed him as much as he needed her. He patiently waited for her to speak.

She drew upon her cup and met his gaze for a moment. Then came her confession, it surprised him, even though he had been expecting it.

“Last night, my old Jedi Master, Daki, came to visit me,” Devon cleared her throat and elaborated, “from beyond.”

Old Master… Dare he hope that meant she had accepted him? So, my suspicions confirmed, he thought, and she just came right out and admitted it? No torturing needed. Just pure honesty. He had to admire her courage; it would certainly be useful in the days ahead. Maul hummed a reluctant acknowledgement and sipped his tea.

Devon’s eyes widened, “You knew?”

Maul scoffed, “Please, my dear. Must you still deny the connection you and I share? Always assume that I know.”

Devon’s cheeks flushed.

Maul remained surprisingly calm, but he could feel a jealous rage smouldering just below his skin. “Tell me now, what did your old Master have to say?” His eyes were glowing softly gold in the half-light.

“Master Daki told me during the battle with the Sith on Janix that you pushed him towards the enemy to escape.”

Was that a flash of anger Maul just sensed from his new apprentice? If so, it was brief.

He steeled himself for the inevitable outburst, but at the same time, he secretly welcomed it. This may yet work in his favour, he thought. At least she would be angry, and that was something he could use.

He exhaled slowly to steady himself and opened his eyes to meet hers. To his surprise, he found no anger there. Instead, he found acceptance and fortitude.

Curses. This would not do at all. How could he teach her to embrace her emotions if she insisted on being this little locked puzzle box? Sadly, it seemed, he didn’t have the key.

He would have to try a new tactic. How about the one she was using with him, now?

Honesty.

The truth can be brutal.

“Yes.” Maul said simply, “I pushed Daki towards harm. I abandoned him so that I could get to you.” …and I don’t regret it.

“Master Daki says it was the right choice.”

Maul spat out his half-swallowed tea and nearly choked on the rest, but recovered quickly, unable to suppress a wicked grin. “Daki said that?” He wheezed, nodding and shaking his head simultaneously. He shrugged, coughed again, and eventually asked, “Why would he say such a thing?”

“You never would have defeated the Sith,” Devon stated with assurance.

WHAT? The audacity. Had Maul been in his prime, he was sure he could have taken that overpowered, one-trick, bludgeoner in a lightsaber duel. How dare Daki suggest such a thing to MY apprentice? Maul’s fury was so bad that the pottery teacup in his hand snapped and broke into pieces. His gloves were now soaked in tea. “Is that so?” He said through gritted teeth.

“Injured as you were,” Devon added, gesturing to his cybernetics.

“Right.” Maul rolled the ‘r’ slowly in response. Of course, if not for the injury. Nice recovery, Devon. …Damn it, he hadn’t finished that tea.