maskormenace | 006 ✿ Video

One year ago today, I arrived in this world. One year ago today, I shared a fateful drink in De Chima with the man who would become the love of my life. One year ago, there were different faces in this world -- different people to greet me upon my arrival, but many are and have remained the same.

[ Raina smiles a sappy smile. She is genuinely happy for the experiences she's had here and people she's met. ]

There have been a lot of ups and downs, especially as of the past few months. But I would be lying if I said that being in this world hasn't been a largely positive experience for me. And while it's sad to think all of it can be gone and forgotten faster than we can blink, that just means we should try to appreciate what we do have here all the more, doesn't it?

[ She leans forward, warm and inviting. ]

So I'd like to hear about your positive experiences. What are some of the best things that have happened to you here? What opportunities have arisen for you here that you would not have gotten back home? What friends did you make that you never would have met otherwise? And for people who have ported in recently, what opportunities do you hope this world will bring you?

We're so focused on the bad things or getting back home to our responsibilities or the people who aren't here that we often neglect to stop and appreciate the little things. Even if it's something as simple as getting to taste strawberry ice cream for the first time. So let's take a moment to share our experiences with each other.

[ A pause. ]

Also while I have you here -- a few months ago I was speaking to a friend of mine and we were talking about how it's possible to port out and return without memories of ever having been in this world. I brought up the idea of writing a letter to ourselves detailing our time here and he proposed that we try to see if the government would include those in the files we're given upon our arrival. If people overall think it's a good idea, I can talk to a few representatives to see if it can be done. I just know that there are people and things here that I would not want to forget, and I'm sure a lot of people feel the same.

And I think that's about all I have to say. I look forward to hearing your stories. Even if we can't have our letters included in our files, maybe this post could serve as a little something for our future selves to look back on and see how happy we once were if ever there's a time when that is forgotten.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ She smiles appreciatively after his flattery. What kind words! And what wonderful imPorts they are, putting forth these efforts of diplomacy. She's not so certain she agrees about the natives, but if only because she believes they're of the utmost importance when it comes to building her devoted following. It's that last question, however, that causes her to pause in thought. ]

Although there are people who took part in the event that I like a great deal, I believe it was overall harmful. There were other ways to showcase displeasure with the event, ways that did not involve publicly shaming the President of this country. Whether we like it or not, we are at her mercy. And the actions of this handful of individuals could cause a storm to rain down on the imPorts who weren't involved.

[Dooku adopts a pensive expression.]

What you say is true. We are at the mercy of that person, and the others who control this nation. And we will remain so- until we find ways to express our displeasure which will lead to action.

[He waves a relaxed gesture with one hand.]

At any rate, I would not worry overmuch about the possibility of retaliation against all imPorts. The government surely knows that such collective punishment would damage our willingness to abide by their wishes. And they need us, just as we need them. We defend their streets and entertain their masses. There are burdens weighing on both ends of the balance between us.

You raise good points as can be expected from a man of your intellectual standing.

[ Raina smiles, passing that flattery baton on over. ]

But they also do have the power to shut our powers down en masse. The nanites in our bloodstream give them a degree of control over us. Not to the extent that LACKEY had controlled us. But LACKEY is in their possession.

[ Which Raina can only think will be a bad thing in the long run. ]

It is kind of you to say so, m'lady. Too often, one encounters stubborn and unyielding minds on this Network, unwilling to admit consideration to new perspectives.

[Is that some sideways shade being cast toward the commentators who are coming down on her suggestion? Absolutely. Dooku is in Raina's corner, and wants her to know as much.]

The fate of LACKEY is... concerning. We have no guarantee that they are not even now adopting its ability to 'punish' us for their own use. If they were to unleash the full power of the nanites, they would be able to simply enslave us, as the Soviets almost did.

[The Count allows his polite mask to fall away for a moment, letting Raina see a deep scowl transform his face, displaying the depths of his feeling for her.]

I remember those days all too well. The feel of the electric fire ripping through my mind, burning between my ears... being left helpless on the floor, as defenseless as a child. We cannot allow ourselves to be subjugated to such a degree. Never again.

[ Oh, she appreciates Dooku all the more for it. Often times it's the unintelligent and stubborn who attack, and those in disagreement Raina sees as so far beneath her that they don't matter in the long run. It's men like Dooku with his cunning intelligence who do matter.

And it helps that she is in full agreement with him. As one of the people whose mind was compromised, Raina never wants to lose that degree of control again. ]

I fully agree. LACKEY did show us something useful -- what happens to us when the nanites are shut down. Our bodies have become nearly reliant on them for normal functioning, and we need to find a way to either block them from being used in any manner other than normal healing or to find a way to break our reliance on them. I fully believe they regulate our powers as well. There are many who came to this world who experienced a sort of cap on their abilities. Things they were normally able to do, they find themselves unable to do. And maybe that same thing goes for all of us. Maybe without the nanites to hinder our powers, we will find ourselves stronger and more resilient. But also prone to a permanent death, which is something we would have to weigh.

Edited 2016-04-17 13:45 (UTC)

[The Count smiles as she rattles off her analysis of the nanites- not his previous courteous smile, but a more genuine show of curiosity, relish, and that deep cunning she recognizes. This is why Dooku admires Raina: one moment the charmer, the next the genius scientist, both roles coexisting in her, both equally valuable for his purposes.]

I agree as well. If nothing else, we are indebted to that wretched machine for revealing to us how dependent we have been made on the government's toys.

[He inclines his head toward her, respectfully.]

Another reason we are fortunate the Porter has allowed you to remain with us. I believe it is researchers like you who offer us all the best chance of understanding these mysteries, and defeating the challenges before us.

[A pause, and then this thread suddenly becomes PRIVATE]

There is something further I would like to add on that topic- in confidence. I believe there is another truth that LACKEY exposed to us. One which may have a very great bearing indeed on the future of all imPorts- and of this planet.

[ Her eyes light up. Now this is the type of praise she craves. After all, she knows she's beautiful and well-spoken and 'kind.' But her scientific research and understanding are her main passion. And it's wonderful Dooku can see the usefulness of what she's doing. Raina responds only once the feed has made the switch to a more private line. ]

Are they words you trust to the communicator? Or would you rather speak them in person?

[ Judging by her tone, she's incredibly eager to hear what he has to say. ]

[The Count strokes his beard.]

In person would be best, if you are available for a meeting. These are weighty matters, and this Network was created by the authorities, after all.

Perhaps I could drop by your laboratory. It would be a pleasure to see where you work.

[And considering that they're talking about scientific matters...]

Of course! You would be more than welcome at my lab. And perhaps I could even show you some of the things I've been working on.

[ Depending on how the conversation goes, he could catch a glimpse of her Centipede project. But only if Raina feels he can be trusted with this knowledge. ]

I will be a bit busy this weekend. Dr. Chilton and I are heading off to celebrate our anniversary. But I will be back on Monday if that works for you?

[The Count nods. His little theory has a great deal of potential, but it's the kind of thing that should not be rushed- and it will keep for a weekend.]

I will see you then. Until that time, I will wish you and the Doctor a pleasant journey, Raina. I hope you both have a lovely time.

I thank you. You have a wonderful weekend as well, and I greatly look forward to our meeting.

[ And you can bet she will be thinking about this until then -- wondering just what theory he has and how it could be of interest to her research. ]

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