2nd Oration / Voice

[dun_moch]

[Dooku's voice on the Network is difficult to miss: deep, resonant, rich, and inexplicably British despite him being from space.]

Good evening, my friends. As his probation officer, I feel it is my duty to inform you that Death the Kid has departed from this universe.

[Pause]

A pity, really. He only had a few days remaining on his sentence. I was looking forward to recommending his freedom from government supervision.

Now then, there is another matter I wish to discuss. I have been considering the role of emotion in the matters of power. ImPort abilities often seem tied to how we feel. Passions such as anger and fear can threaten our control, yet they can also spur our powers to greater heights in times of need.

In my Galaxy, there are two philosophies which have debated these issues for many thousands of years. One believes in the denial of passion. They insist upon tranquility and harmony. It is their belief that only a calm heart, without attachments, can attain true wisdom in serving others. They do not even allow themselves to fall in love...

[The Count's voice drops slightly, becoming a touch darker.]

The other perspective calls this a lie. It accepts passion as the truth of all living things, and draws power from it. It teaches that even the strongest of emotions can be embraced, and disciplined, and used to great effect.

I would be interested to know what my fellow imPorts think on this matter. Are our feelings to be repressed, or embraced? Which path do you believe will lead to greater fulfillment?

[Talk to the Sith Lord about feelings, Network. Also, if you're tagging him for the first time it's a good idea to check out his permissions post!]

Comments

[dun_moch]

[It comes with being a Star Wars character. Especially one with a Christopher Lee voice.]

That is another similarity. Both Light and Dark grant different forms of power to their users in my world. There, too, darkness can achieve things that light cannot.

But it is not truly an equal balance, is it? Light may not be possible without darkness... and yet there is such a thing as pure darkness, without any light.

[resipiscent]

There's such a thing as pure light, too. The difference is that a pure light has to be contained. It doesn't happen without a heart to reside in. And even then, the rarity of that occurrence is so minuscule that it almost doesn't exist at all.

[dun_moch]

[Dooku smells bullshit, but doesn't allow the sentiment to slip into his voice. Instead, he responds with an air of polite curiosity:]

A heart of pure light must be a rare thing indeed, in any universe. Have you ever encountered such a paragon before?

[resipiscent]

[He knows this sounds really stupid, okay. Feel free to be skeptical, Count.]

I have. I helped kidnap the seven existing ones.

[dun_moch]

[This is the Count being duly skeptical!]

Seven such beings- and you helped abduct them? Forgive me for prying, but it seems to me there is a story there which must be told.

[It's good to know you're a kidnapper though Riku, you keep rocking that inner darkness like a champ]

[resipiscent]

I know, right? I don't seem like the type at all. Mostly it's because I'm not. I was just -- I needed the resources of the person I did it for. It was a -- relationship of mutual manipulation. That was about it.

[That's the bare bones of it.]

[dun_moch]

I understand completely. We all do what is necessary in times of great need, don't we? If you truly acted out of need, you will get no judgement from me for your actions.

These seven individuals, though: what were they like? I have never encountered a true being of pure light before.

[resipiscent]

I did it to help a friend. That's all.

[He just kind of screwed things up more, but he doesn't have to admit that.]

They're -- honestly, I have a hard time putting it into words. They're all powerful, and they're incorruptible. But they're -- they can make you feel like everything is right.

Granted, when I was in their presence, they were all sleeping. But -- that's how it seemed to me.

[dun_moch]

You are a loyal friend, to go so far for those you care about.

[Good to know. People like that are easy to lead once you figure out the people in their lives who give leverage over them. One of the many reasons Dooku doesn't really care about anyone.]

The seven must have great power, to radiate such sensations even while unconscious. Would it be fair to say, then, that you never truly met them?

[resipiscent]

Some of them I met properly, because I took them. Some of them were asleep when I got there, though.

[And the seventh is one of his best friends. That's how he knows for certain what they're like.]

[dun_moch]

Ah, I understand. I must say it seems strange, though: that no fewer than seven beings could wield such power, while being truly incorruptible. Power always carries temptation with it.

[Dooku pauses for a moment before raising another question:]

Earlier, you said that one needs both light and darkness in balance. Could it be said then, that these seven pure beings are lacking something in a way that you are not?

[resipiscent]

[The princesses are powerful to start with, though, rather than trying to gain it. Something you've always had isn't all that tempting at all.]

They could be. But I'm lacking in a way that they're not, too. Light and darkness keep each other balanced fairly well.

[dun_moch]

[Well, the Count was born with enormous Force talent and near-limitless wealth... and it hasn't worked out that great for him, when it comes to resisting corruption.]

Perhaps one day I will meet one of these champions in person, and will be able to judge for myself. But for now, I must say that from what I know of you, Riku, you lack for little when it comes to wisdom.

[resipiscent]

[This statement startles a laugh out of him.]

You think so? I think I've got a ways to go, myself.

[His experiences since leaving home have shown him that he is the complete opposite of wise.]