7th Oration // Video

[dun_moch]

[The opening shot is exactly the same as Dooku's interrupted last post. Same bookshelf, same lighting, same Count Dooku casually brushing some dust off his shoulder as he addresses the camera in his deep voice. It is as though he is continuing the previous post without missing a beat, refusing to be disrupted by the Porter, which is exactly the impression he wants to convey.]

Now then. As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted...

[Something is subtly different now, though. There's a touch of strain in the Count's smooth voice that wasn't there before, a note of tension in his face and the way he carries his body. Nonetheless, he carries on as though nothing has changed.]

It appears that the Porter's vengeance against imPort inquiries has ended, for now. But do not make the mistake of thinking that we are now safe. We remain bound by mysterious and cruel entities.

Many of us wish to be sent home. But at the same time, how many of us fear to be Ported out at any moment? Hurled away from our lives here and the friends we have made, sent back to the grim fate that may await us: conflict and humiliation, betrayal and death?

[Dooku's voice rises a bit on those last two words. He maaaaay be projecting a little here. He takes a breath.]

So let me ask you this: what does freedom mean to you, my friends? What is the heart of that word? Is it choice? Is it the ability to command your own life? If so, can we truly be called free today?

A new year is about to begin, with new challenges and opportunities. I urge you all to think carefully about what freedom means to you... and how you will seek to achieve it as we move into the future.

Comments

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[dun_moch]

[Interesting.]

Of course. Name the time and place, and I will be there.

[No signature, not over text.]

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[devoutish]

The Rusty Nail.

[It's a hole-in-the-wall bar in Maurtia Falls - one known for dodgy activity, in fact.]

One in the afternoon tomorrow. It'll be quiet.

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[dun_moch]

[Dooku has heard of the Rusty Nail. Enough to know it's an establishment so far beneath his dignity he risks getting a crick in his neck from looking down upon it.

Still, some risks are worth taking.]

I will be there.

[And he does show up, wearing a comparatively subdued dark suit instead of his usual caped getup.]

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[devoutish]

[When he arrives, Alfie is there already - he'd showed up half an hour early just to make sure of that. He's sitting at a table way in the back, in an out-of-the-way corner, and when Dooku walks through the door he catches his eye and waves him over.]

---Action

[dun_moch]

[Dooku strides over with confidence as though he owned the place, refusing to show any discomfort or intimidation at the rough types he is surrounded by, and seats himself across from Alfie.]

Mister Solomons. We meet at last.

[He has seen the man on the Network and heard his voice on the radio, but only now can Dooku take his measure in person.]

---Action

[devoutish]

Hello, hello; make yourself at home.

[Alfie says, as if this is his home rather than a public venue. He leans across the table to offer Dooku a hand for shaking.]

How have you been, mate? Settling back in?

[Yes, he's going to make him suffer through smalltalk before getting to his main point.]

[dun_moch]

[Dooku can endure smalltalk. In fact, his long career in diplomacy and politics has left him quite attuned to it, and he smiles as though he actually cares about Alfie's show of concern.]

I have been adjusting quite well, thank you. And yourself? I hope you were not sickened or harmed by the Porter's recent issues.

[devoutish]

Ah, well, my powers didn't work for most of it, I'm afraid.

[But since he's always made sure not to let himself rely on his powers for anything but convenience, that didn't bother him so much.]

[dun_moch]

[The Count nods slowly. He clasps his hands on the table in front of him, and does not order anything.]

Inconvenient, but not devastating. I have heard that old wounds reopened, that abilities went out of control. We are truly at the mercy of these nanites within us.

[Nanites that are apparently vital just for imPorts to exist in this universe, let alone to use their powers.]

[devoutish]

Mm, yeah.

[Alfie leans back in his chair, rubbing thoughtfully at his beard as he considers Dooku.]

We're at the mercy of a lot of things, aren't we.

[dun_moch]

[Dooku regards him, his own face revealing little even as his voice remains deep and earnest.]

Too many, I would say. But I have always believed that can be changed.

[devoutish]

Yeah, you have, haven't you. And how much support would you say you've got, exactly?

[dun_moch]

[The Count's lips twitch downward.]

Those who agree? Many members of our community. But those who are truly willing to act? They number far fewer.

However, the power of a few dozen imPorts working together is still a force to be reckoned with. One that can accomplish great things, especially when its opposition is weak and divided.

[devoutish]

And what about backers? Money, right.

[dun_moch]

[Dooku's eyes focus on Archie's trying to read his intentions. The man has a talent for revealing little, in the Count's experience. Does he want to know about funding for his own purposes, or is this the prelude to an offer?]

We have a certain degree of financial support, from a variety of sources who prefer to remain confidential.

[Largely because they're illegal as shit.]

But more funding is always a valuable opportunity in the world of politics.

[devoutish]

Right, well--

[Alfie drums his fingers on the tabletop.]

I'd like to discuss adding to that, if I may. Yeah, because your cause is one of very few here that I do not find completely fucking imbecillic - that's assuming, right, that it is what you say it is.

[dun_moch]

[The Count smiles broadly even as his eyes continue to search Alfie's, flicking down to watch those fingers flex and tap.]

It is what I say... and perhaps more. You understand, of course, that there are some things that cannot be stated openly, especially in the eyes of the authorities.

[Of course he understands. That's why they have to meet in this pit of an establishment.]

What are you willing to offer? And what might you ask in return?

[devoutish]

I want the Porter under our control. imPort control.

[He taps the table again, not breaking eye contact.]

Yeah, I don't know much about interdimensional travel - magic, science, whatever you wanna call it. My world's nearly a hundred years behind this one, and I'm not a scientist there, either. I've learned enough to know that it would take me a very long time to gather all the knowledge and experience it would take to get anything useful done on my own. But you, and your people--

[He might not know specifics, but he has hunches, and he thinks they're good ones.]

[dun_moch]

My people...

[The Count's smile is showing teeth now.]

My people want much the same thing you do. You are hardly the only imPort who feels this way, and there are those in our community who are bending their intellects to grasping the secrets of the Porter.

[He pauses. The smile shrinks.]

But the risks of such inquiries are quite severe, as recent events have demonstrated. Are you truly willing to pursue this goal, despite the possible consequences? There are those who would call you reckless for doing so, if they knew.

[devoutish]

If I thought I was the only imPort who felt this way, I wouldn't've bothered coming to you, mate. I did pick you for a reason.

[His fingers still on the table.]

Tell me what you think of this latest venture with the Porter.

[He's pretty sure he doesn't need to tell Dooku which venture he's talking about.]

[dun_moch]

[The Count sits back in his seat, clasping his hands in front of him.]

A bold stroke with unexpected costs. Those who executed it should be praised for their discoveries and their courage. I think they can hardly be blamed for the unforeseeable consequences inflicted through the government's nanites.

[It's the truth of what he feels, for whatever that is worth. Of course, Dooku was lucky enough to be out of this universe for most of the time when people were sickening, losing control of their powers, or even dying as a result of this 'venture.']

We have learned much through their actions. Now it is up to the rest of us to take the next steps on the path, and ensure these sacrifices were not in vain.

[devoutish]

You don't think it was done foolishly and recklessly, then. You, knowing what you know, can't think of anything they could have done better.

[Alfie makes an ambivalent sound. He'd had plenty of his own misgivings about it all, though they've lessened somewhat now that he's had more time to think about it. And while he might not trust Dooku anywhere near implicitly, his opinion on the matter is still significant to him.]

My concerns here, right, are about the effects of plans on the Porter itself. The thing shut down for a bit, after all. There was worry that we were trapped for good.

[dun_moch]

That is exactly what I think. I know the one who planned this mission, and he is no fool. He proceeded cautiously, and assembled a strong team. Who could have imagined that the Porter would react so badly to being asked a few simple questions?

[The Count shakes his head, as though the Porter has disappointed him through its immaturity.]

I say this as someone who has concerned himself with the Porter for quite some time: I see no reasonable way this could have been predicted or avoided. Save by giving up, and surrendering to the Porter's will forever.

[devoutish]

The one who planned it.

[Alfie rubs his chin.]

It was described as a group effort; I wasn't aware there was a single person heading the idea. And you say he - but I'm sure you don't mean Kaneki, do you?

[dun_moch]

[The Count nods sagely, even as he inwardly wonders if he has put a target on Kaneki for blame while he was trying to boost his ally's reputation.]

A group effort, to be sure. But Kaneki has become a very strong leader, and has done great work in gathering knowledge for imPorts. Let us say that I would not discount his role in any such endeavor.