Chapter Text
“Maul, you must stop intimidating the younglings.”
The red Zabrak’s eyes narrowed in annoyance, his arms crossed over his chest as his forefinger continued its seemingly endless tapping on his bicep. He hated being chastised and looked at like a petulant child, especially by one of the most respected Council members. And whom, as if poking the wound to his ego, was also his former Master. It was such a humiliating feeling, but he'd never admit it. Out loud, anyway.
“I am not the one to blame if the younglings cannot handle my natural demeanor,” he grumbled, his gaze drifting to the side. “They will need to get over their fears if the day comes that they join the Order. And it's Master Opress, not Maul.”
Plo Koon’s brows–if they could be called that–furrowed in that I-seem-to-know-you-better-than-you-do way that always frustrated Maul. “Maybe to others, but to me, you're still Maul.”
Maul hated how that almost made him stop scowling. Almost.
“And they will never be allowed to calm their minds if you keep that expression all the time,” Plo Koon added, which made Maul’s frown deepen and his nose scrunch up. He knew he wasn't exactly the most…approachable Jedi, but he didn't need to have it pointed out in such a painfully blunt way.
“The way I present myself is of no concern to children who cannot even tell the difference between a Tooka and a Loth Cat,” he muttered, his gaze drifting to the end of the hallway, where he saw a young Rodian starting to walk through those halls, but freezing when she saw him. He couldn't decide what was more insulting–the fact that the girl had run away so quickly, or the way she looked as if she was pushing other younglings away from the hallway, as if she was saving them from a Sith Lord and not a disgruntled Jedi with a permanent scowl.
Plo Koon seemed to notice, because he sighed softly and steepled his fingers. “Maul, they are simply younglings. And most of them were not raised the way you were. You must realize that if you keep frowning at them, that will draw them away from you."
“I am still not changing myself for the sake of younglings,” Maul muttered, which made his former Master sigh again. But this time, it was less soft and slightly tired, mirroring the way a tired parent sighs after a long day of dealing with a moody toddler. He hated how guilty that made him feel.
“Maul, I just want you to look less threatening around younglings. If you cannot handle that, you may never be allowed a Padawan of your own,” Plo Koon said, using his best gentle yet firm tone he's used before with younglings like Padawan Tano.
And the fact that his former Master is still so patient with him made him simultaneously irritated at the man's lack of annoyance, and guilty at his kindness despite dealing with one of the most–for lack of better word–moody Jedi. And the combination made him want to ram his head into a wall like a Bantha who was just kicked for no reason–maybe he should calm down a bit.
He finally forced his shoulders to look less stiff as he forced through gritted teeth, “I…apologize. I will make sure I express myself with more…outward courtesy.”
Plo Koon looked relieved and hopefully proud. “Thank you, Maul. It is appreciated,” he assured the Zabrak in a way that warmed his dual hearts. There was no way he would ever admit that to anything other than a corpse.
“Now, there's another reason I have called for you, Maul. Senator Amidala has contacted Master Windu earlier today, requesting the help of at least three Jedi. It seems that there have been rumors of a Sith assassin lurking around Naboo.”
“A Sith assassin? Are you sure?”
Plo Koon seemed to pick up on Maul’s sudden interest. “It’s not Master Jinn’s murderer, my boy. Trust me…we have searched,” he answered, his previously informative tone shifting to one that spoke of an old sadness.
Maul grunted in agitation. He knew of Master Qui-gon Jinn’s death years ago, the poor man having been struck down by some Sith apprentice. Luckily, Master Jinn’s Padawan Obi-wan had fought back, slicing the Sith’s face and causing them to retreat. But it was rumored they may still be alive, and if they were, Maul wanted vengeance. No one killed a Jedi and got away with it.
“Vengence is not the Jedi way, my boy,” the other man said, which made Maul pause for a moment, wondering if it was possible for Jedi to read minds more deeply than previously believed. But no, he was just easy to read to a select few people. “Trust me, I know it tempts you. I have been tempted once before. But the best way you can avenge Master Jinn is by protecting your fellow Jedi, not giving up yourself for the sake of vengeance.”
Maul inhaled through his nose. “Understood,” he grunted, his tone carrying a sharper hiss than he wanted. “Which Jedi would you recommend I bring along?”
Plo Koon seemed to notice how quickly the Zabrak changed the subject. “Masters Kenobi and Skywalker. Kenobi is skilled, and quite efficient in battle. And Skywalker seems to have formed a close bond with the Senator.”
“Hmm, I've noticed,” Maul muttered, lifting a fist to his lips and clearing his throat. Every time he spoke with Senator Amidala, he noticed how she seemed to get all dreamy-eyed and distant when she spoke of Anakin Skywalker, always complimenting him the most. If she and the Jedi were hiding something, it was unfortunate that they were both terrible liars. “Wait, you mentioned Kenobi, as well?”
Plo Koon nodded. “Yes, Kenobi, as well. I understand you've always had an indifference–”
“He is insufferable and arrogant.”
“An indifference towards Master Kenobi, but he is one of the best Jedi Masters for this mission.”
Maul sighed in annoyance and ran a hand over his face, his eyes scrunching closed as if he were having an impending migraine. His old Master seemed to take notice.
“My boy, if you're going to be this…irritated by Master Kenobi, I could always send you on a mission with that Gungan, Jar Jar Binks.”
This made Maul’s shoulders tense, his hand freezing on his face, and his expression was akin to the same kind of dread one would get if they were just informed someone had just hidden a Sarlacc in their bedroom.
“When do you want me to retrieve Kenobi and Skywalker?”