maskormenace | 2nd Oration / Voice

[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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Indeed it does. And in many cases the consequences of an outburst can be quite... severe. But perhaps worse yet is the alternative: for them to live their entire lives in such a state, and pass away having never known the true pleasures life has to offer.

[And now PRIVATE]

On that note, I must say how pleased I am to see you still at liberty to have these conversations, Shade. I feared that your... excursions last month might have landed you in some trouble.

['Excursions' meaning 'Pull-point-induced-crime-wave']

Quite so, I am as well! [ He shook his head. After all, this was a legitimate concern, with how things went, when it came to powers. ]

I have already once been incarcerated in this world. I don't think I would enjoy it any more a second time, I'll admit. There is no greater suffering, than what I experienced.

[ That's a lie, he's just being dramatic. ]

I am certain your trials were great. But I admit I am surprised you were in that predicament to begin with. How were the authorities able to apprehend someone of your abilities? Did any particular heroes band together and thwart you?

[This is only partly the Count being flattering: from what he's seen of Shade's powers, he is a difficult force to stop. Any hero with the power to take him on is a name that Dooku wants to be aware of.]

Oh no, I let myself be caught.

[ A laugh. ] It was a part of the game, and I honestly hadn't expected them to take my powers. They never did before.

[Dooku chuckles along when Shade does.]

Most sporting of you, to give them a chance like that.

The nullifiers are a deeply unpleasant sensation, aren't they? I had never experienced such incapacity before being brought here. I must confess, it is troubling to know that this technology is so widespread in this world... and that we have so little defense against it.

Quite so! I quite dislike them.

[ A shake of his head. ]

But I have to be sporting for the game. How else will I find someone to joust with, next time?

Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, in your position. If there is one thing I know about heroic types, it is that they refuse to be dismayed by the odds against them... or even by common sense.

I am sure you could be very unsporting indeed, and still find yourself with no lack of worthy challengers.

Perhaps! However, I like the ones I have. It's a relationship to cultivate, the one between a hero and a villain. If I were to break that contract, and go elsewhere, it wouldn't be nearly as exciting, or as satisfying.

It's like when one finds a very competent, very enjoyable rival.

Ah, yes. I can certainly appreciate the value of a respectable adversary.

[Please get Ported in, Obi-Wan Kenobi]

Do you have such a relationship with any of the heroes here, then?

Why yes, I do!

[ he Laughed. ]

I have the Flash -- two of them!

Two Flashes... How fortunate for you, Shade. You have a spare on hand should the other be Ported out.

[He will remember the name 'Flash', now. Any hero worth Shade's respect could be a potent asset, or a dangerous threat. Maybe both.]

Quite so!

[ A wave of his hand. ]

I'm not often in the market for a foe, but if the need strikes... I often have one ready.

A most convenient arrangement. And how would you characterize these excellent foes of yours? Do they hold their feelings in check, or are they driven by great passion?

I don't know that they are either. The Flash is... a wise man. He is not without passion, but he isn't a slave to it, either.

Noble, I would say, is his character. The ones I've fought.

True nobility... A rare trait. So many so-called heroes succumb to corruption of one form or another. Let us hope that your Flashes never disappoint in that regard.

They never will, I can guarantee it.

I've spoken with enough people who've traveled to the future, you see.

Really, now? Then the Porter is not your first exposure to a power that can warp time. Is this a common ability, in your world?

I would not say it's common, but I wouldn't say it's unheard of, either.

2nd Oration / Voice

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