First Day of Maul Appreciation Week
My first Submission for Maul Appreciation Week! It's a little rough, but i have a habit of writing too long. I think ill explore the OC in the character more in later in the week!
Summary: Story behind Maul's first piercing
*No Beta, we die like the Jedi during Order 66.
**Teen Maul, references novels but don't need to read them to understand, Teen Fem OC, TW Needles, TW Family Trauma, TW references to past abuse
It had been only a year since slaughtering the members of the Orsis Academy where Maul had spent seven years honing his skills. Master Sidious had kept him busy on various missions to help guide the galaxy towards his masters plan. Destroy a ship here, kill a politician there. He was obedient to every whim, as he was trained to be. Despite this, restlessness started to grow. He felt it in the depths of his mind, twisting its way into his thoughts in the quiet moments. He wanted more. Bred to kill Jedi and bring the glory of the Sith to the galaxy, but made to do the work of a common assassin.
It was during a meditation on his ship, flying back to his Master after another successful assasination, that he got an idea. It was a foolish plan, one his Master would sense immediately. But, by the time Sidious could react, it would be done. Maul needed something new and a decision he made himself, not by his Master. Standing from a cross legged position, he went to the navigation controls. Typing in the coordinates for the nearest well-inhabited system he quickly looked up some places that would suit his needs. After finding a couple, he settled down in the pilot chair and thought about where he would want it.
It had been only a couple of hours until a notification beeped, informing Maul of his arrival. A grey-blue planted, dotted with clusters of light lay below him. He navigated to a nearby port, observing the nature of the city. While it was night, he could see that the architecture was plain, but sturdy. Obviously built for function, rather than form. Though as he got closer, he noticed small spots of color, banners that were hung from various small windows. A soft crackle came from the speakers on the dash.
“This is Tell-19 please present your clearance.” Said a whiny robotic voice.
Maul punched in the code Sidious had given him. It was for some general high ranking merchant in Coruscant. Important enough to get him into most back water planets like this one, but would be under some scrutiny if he had tried it at more populous worlds. A few moments later, “Please dock in bay seven.” The droid confirmed. Maul was relieved that the code had worked as he took manual control and guided the ship to the large circular platform labeled seven.
Touching down, he quickly powered off the ship and threw on the large black cloak he wore to disguise himself. While Zabraks were not horribly uncommon, he knew his bright red skin and striking black tattoos would leave an impression. Maul gave a quick look over his ship to make sure nothing looked out of the ordinary before opening the hatch to the outside. It gave a light hiss and he stepped out onto the dark platform. A light wind wove around his legs, causing the hem of his cloak to billow. A whir pulled his attention to a small two wheeled droid coming up to him. It had one large eye and three small arms, all made to complete delicate ship repair.
“Tell your owner I would like a refuel and nothing more.” He said to the droid. It bobbled its head in reply, and whizzed back to a booth on the edge of the platform. Satisfied, Maul walked to the stairs leading down to the streets below. This area of the city seemed to be mainly for ships to dock, the large frameworks towering over mildly crowded streets. The shadows it provided allowed Maul to slip through the crowds unseen and unnoticed. He followed the small holomap on his wrist projector to the first shop he had looked up. It was a nondescript building, short and shoved between two large housing units. The windows were dingy and the signage lights flickering. He approached the door and let himself reach out beyond it with the force. The snaking tendrils wove around the minds of several humans and one trandoshan. From the messy thoughts coming from all four, he knew they had been drinking.
Maul shook his head and pulled back. This was not the shop for him. Luckily the next place was only a few blocks away. Here the sky opened up, and the streets were far less dense. Small shops lined the road, their dark windows reflecting the warm glow of the streetlights. He slipped past the closed shops until he came to one, light pouring out of its windows. A simple, but well done stencil spelled the name of the shop on the door, ‘MoonTide Tattoos and Piercings’. He once again reached out with the force and was surprised to find only one mind. Peeking through the window he saw a feminine figure at the back near some shelves. Her mind seemed clear, although a bit tired. Maul retreated the tendrils from the shop and pushed the door open.
Quiet music greeted him as he stepped inside. It had a slow growly bass, and a melodic male singer matched its dour tune. Despite this, the shop radiated with comfort. Large cushions were pushed against the wall near the entrance behind a low table, stacked with books. The walls were lined with art in various styles and the odd plant. He trained his gaze to the woman at the end of the shop. Sensing someone was in her shop, she turned around. She was a young Mirialan with purple skin and long black hair, dressed in a simple black shawl-like top with loose baggy pants. Maul could see small diamond shaped tattoos on the edges of her hairline.
“Oh hey there, sorry we are actually closing up for the night.” She said, walking over to the counter set before him.
“I am sorry to hear that, I would make it worth your time.” Replied maul. He chided himself mentally, he should have known to look for the closing times.
“Ha, I'm sure you would. But even if I wanted to take your business, I'm just an apprentice. I can't just pierce anybody.”
Maul grabbed onto that connection she gave him, using it for leverage. He knew that he wouldn't have long until Sidious noticed he was off course. He needed this done soon.
“An apprentice? I am an apprentice myself, you know.” He said.
Her eyebrows raised a bit as she looked him over, “Oh? Of what?”
Maul took the opportunity to lower his hood, revealing the zabrakian tattoos. Her eyes widened as she looked at him with newfound appreciation.
“That is some serious ink, but I suppose that's typical for Zabraks. Are you a tattoo apprentice?” She asked. Maul simply nodded, waiting to see if that lie would convince her to work with him. She chewed on a deep purple lip before saying “How much are you paying?”
Maul suppressed a smile, “However much the service would be and some added for the troubles.” He hated laying it on thick, playing the game. But, he knew it was the only way to get what he wanted. She quirked her mouth to the side and then gestured for him to follow. She guided him past the counter and a couple small benches, where various tattooing equipment hung. At the back of the building was a small door that she pushed open. Beyond was a small, cramped room with barely enough space for the table and the cabinets that filled it.
“Okay hop up there. What are you looking to get done today? I'll put this out straight, I'm not doing anything too complicated. No membranes, members, or dermals. Sounds good?” She said, washing her hands in a small sink. Maul noticed dark bands against her forearm as she pushed the sleeves of the shawl up.
“I would like to do a piercing here.” He replied, pointing at the top of his left ear.
“Ah a helix, that'll look nice. Just to let you know it takes awhile to heal. Is this your first piercing?” Maul dipped his head in a nod. “Hmmm okay, it's not the worst first piercing, but given the amount of ink you have, I'm sure you've dealt with more difficult things.” She turned back to the cabinets and pulled open a few drawers. Maul was surprised to find himself somewhat endeared by this Mirialan. She didn't seem frightened of him like so many others were. Though, he guessed that she had met many who were as decorated as he was.
“Oh, I haven't told you my name. It's Myara.” She stated as she came over. Maul said nothing. “Right…” ,she paused waiting for Maul to give her his, but shrugged at his silence. "Don't need your name to get paid. Okay, you said around here?” She leaned over and put a gloved finger on his ear. He caught the subtle scent of a spiced perfume and the smell of some animal. She took a pointed object from her other hand and brought it to his ear, he braced himself for the sting, but only felt it lightly touch him. Myara moved back and grabbed a small mirror that was hanging from the wall, angling towards his face.
Maul observed the small white dot against his black skin. “A bit higher up.”
She nodded and leaned back over, her fingers wiping the pen away and placed a new dot. “How about now?”
Maul looked into the mirror again, “Yes.”
“Good, just hang tight as I get the jewelry prepped. We will start with a stud, once it heals you can put a ring or whatever else your hearts desire.’ She hung the mirror back up and stripped off the gloves, going back to the cabinets. As she reached up to the shelves holding various boxes, the shawl slipped down her arm, revealing a sleeve of black inkwork. It was chains of various sizes and types, wrapping their way around her arms. She must have caught him looking in the small mirror because she said, “Who would I be working in a tattoo shop if I didn't have tattoos?” She lowered her arms, letting the shawl fall back over them. “Sorry if I'm being nosy, but Zabrak tattoos have a certain meaning right? We don't get many here, but my teacher told me about them.”
Maul hesitated to talk about his markings, they were from a culture he never had much of a part of. Still, they were something that marked him as unique and strong. “They are proof that I completed my rite of passage when I was younger. Much like yours.”
Myara stopped what she was doing and craned her neck towards him, “You know about our tattoo customs? Oh, I guess you would with your apprenticeship.” She finished up and came back to the bench he was sitting on. “Now this will sting a bit. When I tell you to, take a deep breath.”
Maul sat still, and braced for the pain. Myara held a needle and went over to his side. “Alright breathe in.” she said.
Maul did and felt the sudden sharp sting of the needle through his ear. He expected the pain to last, but it quickly went to a dull throb.
Myara fiddled with the jewelry, “Alright that should do it. Let me just clean this up and you'll be set to go.” She took a disinfecting spray and wiped it dry. Maul looked in the mirror on the wall, admiring the new piercing. It was silver and glowed warmly in the lights. “Do you like it?” She asked.
“Yes. How much do I owe you?”
“We will settle that at the counter. Now here is some spray, clean the piercing with this twice a day until the piercing back starts to stick out too much. And here is some more information on how to tell if it's infected or when it's time to come back.” She handed him a pamphlet. “Youll want to get it downsized either here or another shop as the bar I've used today is big to accommodate the swelling. Once that goes down, wait a bit and we can get you fitted.”
Maul nodded, he appreciated how thorough she was. Despite her young age and status, she was confident and well taught. Something Maul respected. He followed her out to the front. She inputted something into a data pad and showed him the amount. It was less than he had expected. Fishing out the correct amount of credits from his pockets, he handed them over. Myara smiled and thanked him. “Here is my contact in case you have any questions or want to schedule the fitting. Oh, and if you could avoid telling others about this I’d appreciate it. I could technically get into a lot of trouble.”
Maul nodded again and without another word left the shop. He stopped by the door, surprised to find himself hesitating. The nighttime street was quiet but there was tension in the air. He quickly looked around and saw nothing. A brief survey with the force also revealed nothing. Chiding himself mentally at his reaction, Maul slipped into the shadows. The cool air felt nice on his fresh wound, the cold metal helping to keep it numb. Around the ship docks were less crowded, making it easy to get to the platform where his was. It was dark and still when he reached the top. The booth on the edge was empty, and no droids were in sight. Maul let the hatch down and walked in. He made a quick check to make sure nothing was stolen before inputting the coordinates for the rendezvous with his master. No doubt Sidious would notice the new jewelry and punish him for diverting from the mission. But, Maul would take the punishment in stride as he always did. For now this was his thing, his choice, and the first freedom he had.
