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

[dun_moch]

It was quite brief, in fact.

[And swiftly changing the subject:]

Do you mean that in all your time here, the Porter has not sent you home once?

[cleptes]

No. Never.

[A nervous kind of laugh. Like she's expecting the Porter to do it right now.]

This place must be loathe to let me go. I don't know why.

[dun_moch]

[A comforting smile.]

Then perhaps the Porter has a measure of good taste after all, however strange its other behaviour may be.

[cleptes]

You're very kind, Count Dooku. Thank you. [She can't help smiling at his words.]

That makes me feel a little better about it.

[dun_moch]

You are most welcome, my friend. I hope the Porter continues to grace us with your presence for the foreseeable future- unless you have been feeling homesick, that is.

[cleptes]

I must admit, I do feel a little homesick on occasion. Wanting to know what's going on in my world.

[There's not much she can do though.]

In the meantime I'm glad to have people here who support me. And a profitable business.

[dun_moch]

Perhaps one day you will be able to visit your own world, then return here to your business. Just as easy as you please.

Are there others from your home, who perhaps could bring you news?

[That's how Dooku found out about his death and the future of the Galaxy. So many of the people from his Galaxy are from decades into the future.]

[cleptes]

Perhaps.

There are others from my home, but they wouldn't be able to tell me anything. It's complicated, as they're the parents of two people who may be able to bring me news. I only discovered that fact here.

[dun_moch]

They are from your past, then. Maybe there are things you know of their family's future that would be of interest them.

[In Bela's position, Dooku might consider that very useful leverage.]

[cleptes]

While that is true, they have never asked me about it. Maybe I should offer them something, but I'm not sure how useful it would be.

[Bela sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger.]

I'm not exactly fond of their family.

[dun_moch]

[Now this is interesting. Dooku's eyes narrow, intrigued.]

Are they rivals of yours?

[cleptes]

Not exactly. We operate on different sides.

[Feeling she should clarify, Bela continues.]

They're hunters of supernatural creatures and I'm not. I use my knowledge of the supernatural element in my world for money making purposes. They don't like that very much.

[dun_moch]

[Dooku makes a disapproving 'hmp' sound.]

How impolite of them. If you are not one of the creatures they hunt, it seems to me they should simply leave you to your business.

[cleptes]

You're perfectly right. But I always seemed to run into them. [It seemed so long ago now.] One of them was here once, a while back. We agreed to stay out of each other's way.

If you'd like I can tell you about my encounters with them and indeed, some of my story over tea soon.

[dun_moch]

[Dooku gives her a warm smile.]

Tea and tales. I would like that very much, Bela.

[cleptes]

I know that I would enjoy it too.

[She smiles in return.]

Take care, all right?