maskormenace | 1 🐍 ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ ( action for housemates )

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1 🐍 ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ ( action for housemates )

[ When the feed comes to life, Hemali is seated on a couch, her legs drawn up and shoulders and neck hunched over. On the coffee table is a small bottle of nail polish, which she goes about applying with precision over her toe nails.

She doesn't glance at the camera right away, letting the silence linger until she's finished painting the nail the way she wants. Then she finally looks up and smiles, but it isn't one offered up in apology for making anyone wait, not that she believes she has anything to apologize for. ]

Isn't this all interesting? I've never seen a device like this or heard of one that could shuffle people from across the universe.

[ Her eyes light up at the thought, masking any concerns she has about the fact there's something with far greater power than she might ever have. ]

Nor have I heard about machines that could grant people power. What I find most strange having looked over this network, is that so many people would give up these powers if it meant leaving this place? I had always thought people preferred being special and having that kind of security. Does your power not provide that?

[ A contemplative pause. ]

Maybe I am a little excited to travel for once, personally.

[ Not completely, but who needs to know behind a calm affect is a woman who feels threatened by the Porter? She goes back to painting her nails, interested in hearing what these other imPorts have to say in response. ]

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[There's an elderly white-haired man in a cape standing before the camera on the other end of the connection, hands behind his back. His eyes are dark, piercing, and intrigued. This newcomer seems more interesting than most to Dooku's eyes. And she's talking about his favourite topic as well.]

Power always has a price, m'lady. Consider if you will what is taken from us in exchange for these great abilities: our homes, our independence, even the chance to choose whether to receive these changes in the first place.

[He unclasps his hands to spread them in front of him.]

There are those who would say that people with so little control over their circumstances have no real power at all... or security.

[Alfie is very interested in the way she starts and ends the video, even more than in what she has to say - not because he cares at all about how women paint their nails, but because he recognizes the tactic. It's one he's used himself plenty of times in the past - calmly sitting and reading the paper before starting a business meeting, making his associate wait until he's good and ready. Maybe it's meant to intimidate. Maybe it's just meant to project confidence. Either way, he's taking note.]

Would you rather stay here, then, and be very powerful in this foreign place?

[ The attire doesn't go unnoticed; something about it boasts of both power and intelligence — a man who knows precisely what he's speaking about. Not a rarity, though as far as Hemali is concerned Dooku is only a human who's been blessed with powers thanks to the Porter. ]

A fair point! These Americans have given us shelter, but have they asked for much in return yet? I have only been here a couple of days myself.

[ She wonders what they'll attempt to pull on them when they least expect it. ]

[ Why not? She might not mind so much someday, though she would prefer to live elsewhere once she's seen enough of this country.

His accent makes it a tad hard to understand him at first, so she has to listen carefully to him. ]

I wouldn't mind being comfortable if my stay is a long one.

I think for a lot of people there's less security in bein' "special". It singles you out. Separates you. Not hard to see how for some people it could feel more like a target than a shield.

...Did you not get to travel much, where you're from?

Better to have a bright outlook on the matter -- you're already head above water.

[The Count gives a wry little half-smile, as though accustomed to the foolishness and injustice of the world through long experience.]

They ask very little. All their assignments and missions are quite voluntary. But the things they do not bother to ask about are rather troubling, I must say. No request is ever made regarding the markings they place on our bodies, for example. But it is a little thing, we hear, a reasonable cost for their hospitality.

[The smile grows thinner.]

What you will not hear is that those who consider it unreasonable have very little recourse.

But that's not what we're talking about, yeah? You mentioned the people who would give up their powers to return home.

[ She carefully sets one foot down, not wanting to smear the fresh coat of polish and lifts up her other foot while keeping her eyes on Sam. ]

They told me all the "imPorts" here had special powers. Aren't some strong enough to protect themselves?

[ She shakes her head, reaching for the bottle of polish. ]

I traveled throughout the country, but never outside. I was about to vacation in London before I was brought here.

[ It's handy to know she doesn't have to do their bidding, but everything else Dooku says may be troublesome. ]

The ah... "nanites", yes? I'm not too familiar with this technology.

[ A broad smile. ]

So some seem to imply. [ A shrug. ] I suppose then I would stay. Who doesn't want to have that kind of security even in a new country?

[ She pauses, frowning at nothing in particular. ]

Or universe? Their explanations were very confusing.

[ She keeps her video feed on, too lazy to switch for the most part, though also wanting the voice on this end to see her. She wishes she could see him now. ]

How kind of you. Are most of these erm, "imPorts" not?

"Special" don't always mean good. And even if they're somethin' useful - numbers can still play into it. Nobody likes to feel cornered.

[she has... really lovely legs, Sam is noticing. Noticing and trying not to stare too hard at.]

Got a few more flyer miles than you were bargainin' for with that. [a weak tease, and he offers a smile.] Nothin' stoppin' you from going there now that you're here, though. But I think there's somethin' to be said for puttin' down some roots first.

[Does she now!!]

You'll have a spectrum with any given population, but no. Optimism is something of a rare reaction.

Both, from what I hear.

[ If she notices the staring she does nothing to stop it. ]

Many more! I did want to see New York City someday... maybe I will see that first before London.

... if they are the same like they are where I am from.

[ It's difficult to tell when she's only seen photos or the backdrop in a movie. ]

The shine of traveling wears off rather quickly, believe me. Especially when it's inter-dimensional, or inter-universal, or what have you.

[ She wants to see everyone's faces!! ]

I admit I wasn't very happy at first, but I am making do with what I can for the time being.

And you? Optimist or pessimist when you arrived?

I try to believe in the best of all possible worlds.

[But he says it a little too dryly, a little too bitterly.]

But anyway -- welcome. To this universe.

[ It's hard to wrap (haha) her head around that. ]

How much do you know about this technology?

Mm. Not much.

[He's picking it up, and a lot of it's at least intuitive - but he's definitely not used to it, and he knows pretty much nothing about it beyond "pressing this button does this thing".]

We don't have anything like it in my day.

It's not good to be so negative. It reflects on the outside.

[ She says without sounding as if she truly believes in it. ]

Thank you. How kind of a stranger to say. [ A beat. ] What would this stranger's name be?

Ah -- Frederick. Doctor Frederick Chilton.

I am a psychiatrist.

[ Hemali looks astonished by his reply, arching a brow. ]

Now I don't believe that. There is always so much to see, to do, people to meet?

Doctor.

[ If Chilton was looking to impress, he's got it. ]

A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Dr. Chilton. I am Hemali.

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1 🐍 ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ ( action for housemates )

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