maskormenace | 10th Oration // Voice

I have a task available for any imPorts looking for work. A simple retrieval, quite legitimate.

[An image of the item in question is attached.]

Something was taken from me earlier this year. A weapon I crafted with my own hands, long ago: my lightsaber. A curved hilt, which emits a red blade of energy when activated. Powerful and elegant, if wielded by the proper hands. It is past time that it returned to my care, and I am prepared to offer a most handsome reward to anyone who assists me in this task. Should we be unable to agree on a fitting financial compensation, I am quite prepared to trade in favours or information instead.

[Dooku is kinda broke right now.]

Rest assured that I desire this item for no sinister purpose. It is my own creation and rightful possession, and I have keenly regretted its absence during recent perils.

I encourage all of you who don't have some manner of weapon or suitable powers to think carefully of how you, too, can defend yourselves. We live in dangerous times, and our enemies are many. Tell me, are you prepared to protect your own life and the lives of those around you when danger threatens? The time may come for you, if it hasn't already, when you will have to answer this question in ways beyond the hypothetical.

[OOC note: Characters tagging the Count for the first time are encouraged to check out his permissions post!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It'll cost you, Dooku. No more jobs for discounts and promises.

I will admit that your regular rates may be... challenging to meet, Cad Bane. But perhaps we can still come to an arrangement that will benefit the both of us.

So you're saying you wouldn't be able to come up with five million of this world's currency right now for the return of your precious item?

[Yes, he's pushing the rates high here, knowing how important a lightsaber must be to the Count. He doesn't expect him to even consider that amount reasonable. He certainly gave Oswald a very much lower amount for this retrieval - taking off many zeros... But there he's trying to build up a working relationship. Bane doesn't trust Dooku. He paid up later but payment had wavered in the past.]

[Dooku actually scoffs.]

If I had five million of this nation's dollars on hand, I would have made use of them far before now. My assets have been seized since my defeat, as you well know. Just as my lightsaber was taken from me.

Not going so well for you then, is it.

[Bane's tone is wry, clearly not caring personally about Dooku's woes.]

Do you wish to make a deal or not, Bane? Rest assured, there are others who can complete this task for me.

With my skills, I would have found it faster. My offer's not changing.

[Especially since the bonus location perception power he has here, he already has a general idea of where it is.]

But good luck with getting others to do the job.

[And Oswald has already been contacting him, so he doesn't press the Count here.]

Your talents are not in question, bounty hunter. But perhaps you overestimate your importance. Never assume that your skill makes you irreplaceable.

[Dooku knows full well that Bane's ego is his other biggest motivation beyond his greed.]

[He prickles at the words but tightly replies.]

Then you'll have no trouble finding a replacement.

Indeed. You are hardly the only professional for hire on this planet. Or did you imagine that you lack for competition?

You know I'm worth the price, more than most.

Perhaps. We will see. I may have much less work for you if I find someone who delivers results for less exorbitant costs.

You can still come to me for other jobs. This one is just more special.

[Being a unique lightsaber that no doubt the Count wants back. It means more, so it costs more. On other jobs, he'll be more willing to negotiate.]

[Dryly:]

Ah, I suppose for these other tasks you would only charge four million.

More like four thousand. If you're lucky, that's about my current going rate.

[He's really going low with others, knowing he has to rebuild his reputation here.]

Far more reasonable. Would that be specifically for acquisitions, or also for other missions as well? Protection work, for example.

It depends what the work entails and how difficult it will be.

You need a bodyguard?

Edited 2018-10-25 01:03 (UTC)

As I said in my post... one can never have too much protection, don't you think?

I can give you a special rate for regular business. I'm sure you've made a lot of enemies... Do you need extra protection only when you go out or do you feel unsafe in your home?

I have no intention of having you as a permanent houseguest, Cad Bane. I am thinking more along the lines of having a guard to accompany me to particularly risky meetings and public events.

That's what I thought.

[He had no desire to permanently baby-sit Dooku either.]

How does $10,000 sound for each event?

[Very low cost, considering who's making the offer and what he was charging for the lghtsaber's return.]

Dealing with any trouble will cost you extra.

Ten thousand for handling an absence of trouble? Please do not waste my time, bounty hunter.

Fifteen then. For any and all trouble, including my expenses.

[Dooku sighs.]

I will consider it.

[He really does need to find himself some more money.]

Regular business will get you a discounted rate.

[He's more willing to negotiate on some things since bounty work has been scarce here.]

10th Oration // Voice

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]

[Private]