maskormenace | 7th Oration // Video

Entry tags:

7th Oration // Video

[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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ The scrutinizing has Hajime tensing up a little, brows furrowed. He's not the only one reminiscing (family makes you do things you never would've done otherwise) but the confusion shows on his face. ]

I-I'm sorry, did I offend you? [ He brings a hand up to rub his neck, hands bandaged. Maybe kids weren't very outspoken in his world...?

He speaks with a steady cadence, not getting overemotional but deep in thought--clearly he's been thinking about this a lot. ] I don't know if it's about being strong enough--if you say 'no' to something you should've said 'yes' to and all of your family and friends leave you... was the choice still worthwhile? Ah, though, I guess it'd depend on the choice you make and who you are...

[ He shakes his head a little, as if to end that train of thought. ]

Being 'safe'... it means being physically safe, for one... being able to live the way you want and not have someone force you to live one way, too. Ah--of course, some ways of living are wrong, being a criminal isn't okay for anyone. But if you're not hurting anyone, it shouldn't be held against you, I think.

I'm a little scared of the anti-imPort feelings flying around... and it'd be a lie if I said 'I live without letting them influence me'. Not every person that gets pulled here is an amazing superhero with cool powers, you know? Plus, about powers... if you come here and get a dangerous power without knowing it and hurt someone, are you the person to be punished? S-sorry, I'm rambling--a lot of things don't sit right with me here, but maybe it's because my world's so similar...

[A smile slowly spreads across the Count's aged face.]

Not at all. Quite the contrary, in fact. It is a pleasure to encounter a youth with as many insightful things to say about such important matters as you have.

I will say this: you are hardly alone in being concerned about how much imPorts are feared, envied, and controlled. We certainly should not be punished for things beyond our control, or for our powers.

[A pause, then:]

I would be interested to learn more about how your world is similar to this one. Is it also filled with 'heroes' who wield special abilities?

[ Oh...

He... hadn't exactly meant that. Feared sure, but envied...? Controlled...? Well... best to move on from that topic. He'll think on that more later. Curious though, he'd expected more people to be dazzled by living as a hero. ]

Oh, um--

It's not like that at all... you see, my world's a lot like this one, but we don't have magic or advanced powers... so it'd be like this world, except where we--imPorts--weren't there. It's completely ordinary and boring. If I think of my world like a control group for the other worlds I hear about, trying to find all the differences is pretty interesting! Like, um... between this world and mine... [ Oh, right, they just finished... ] We've gone into space and lived in space in my world for a few decades now... ah, we haven't gone into space ourselves, just a few people. And the technology is more advanced in some ways.

And this... um, fight going on should've been finished a long time ago... but I think I prefer it over some of the things we can do now back home.

Space travel is common in my Galaxy as well. It is completely ordinary for beings to travel between the stars in ships that can fly faster than the speed of light. I must admit, being confined to a single planet has been one of my trials of living on Earth.

Why would you prefer this 'Cold War' to what your own world experiences?

[ He falters for a moment, and then looks... hesitant? ]

It's kind of shameful, huh...? I guess it's a little like if you were stuck in the past. I'd be frustrated too.

Um... well, it's a little difficult to explain, but it feels like people are more cautious now. In my world... ah, it's pretty peaceful...? But. There's still fighting, and the threats we have are a lot scarier.

[The Count nods, secretly relishing the hesitation, the uncertainty. Weaknesses to be exploited by those with the wisdom and will to do so. Like Dooku.]

There is a great war raging in my own Galaxy. This planet is relatively peaceful in comparison. But hardly civilized. Most worlds where I am from have managed to form stabled planetary governments, not remain divided in rival nations like this 'Earth.'

Ah... I've heard a bit about it...! I just don't know what to think about it, it sounds kind of complicated.

[ Silently hoping that Dooku doesn't mention it in too much detail, because he has been told about him. Warned about him. He shouldn't be talking with him, probably, but the topic was something he's been thinking about ever since he arrived... ]

I think it's probably for the best that we stay here. Um--Earth, I mean... until we settle our differences as a people, it's probably too dangerous to try reaching out to the stars, even if I kind of wish I could see them myself. I think it's something we should do as imPorts, too, but that's more difficult.

Indeed? Then might I ask what your opinions are about our recent projects in space? The 'Big Brother' show and the new lunar installation, to be precise.

[Yeah sorry he's just going to keep asking more questions, keep probing, keep getting more information.]

Um--

I think... well, it's kind of hard to decide, you know? It was fun to watch, but I don't know how I feel about space being used like a toy... I don't know that much about the lunar installation, though. No one's been talking too much about it.

It has received rather less coverage than the 'reality' program in orbit, hasn't it? A curious difference. And perhaps a deliberate one.

I support the lunar base, however, specifically because it would not be possible without imPort power and ingenuity. Let it be a symbol to the people of Earth, demonstrating the benefits we bring them through our presence here.

Mm, TV's kind of funny that way, even a world away... [ He says it with a slight wince. Dooku probably does not want to hear his thoughts about the entertainment industry, though.

He brings a fist to his mouth then, more in thought than anything as his eyes stray from the camera. ]

I think it's something to be proud of... but isn't that why everyone's against imPorts, too?

[The Count nods. Perceptive of the boy, to notice that duality.]

That is one of the reasons we are resented, yes. They fear our power. Our potential to change their world.

Well... I don't know how I feel about that, but... I think the good side of it is, they care enough about their world to feel that way. It's better than not caring at all, isn't it?

I wonder if an imPort who shared their ideas for what their world should look like stepped up... if they'd really listen, or if they'd still not like them because they're an imPort? [ People can be kind of fickle that way... ]

I suppose most things are better than apathy. But even the most ignorant individual can become passionately involved once they feel their own safety is threatened. In many cases, it is themselves they care about, not their world.

As for your other question... that would depend entirely upon the content of what vision was being offered. In my long experience, no matter what is promised there will be those who embrace it, those who reject it, and those who refuse to commit either way.

Of course... it's never that easy. [ He deflates a little with a wince in his smile, brow furrowed. ]

Hmm, I don't know if I agree that most people care about themselves... but maybe that's because I've met a lot of imPorts that want to help this world, too. Or just because of what I do... but. I think those people exist. And, especially in my world... I think they're the loudest people.

They can be very loud indeed. Yet it has also been my experience that those who say they want to serve others often harbour ulterior motives. Their version of helping may also help themselves.

[Is he talking about himself, his Master, or half the political figures in his Galaxy? Maybe all of the above.]

If you help everyone you are helping yourself, I guess...?

Think deeper, my young friend. Different people have different views on what constitutes 'help.' Elections and debate would hardly be necessary, otherwise. When those visions clash, conflict can develop.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

7th Oration // Video

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject