maskormenace | 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

[He'd be sorry to know Dooku was disappointed really. He would fight, he would give it his all and if for whatever reason it did come to violence, he would retaliate.]

Wow wait, hang on, time out, they can take that from us? Like if we disagree they could just...I mean I shouldn't be surprised. It's a classic way to get people to bend to their ways right? Totally classic.

Oh don't worry, I'm gonna do everything I can to make sure they know I'm not happy about it.

[Dooku smiles thinly.]

Of course they can. Really, they have the power to do almost anything they please with us. And they can use that power to bend us any time they like.

Yet we have our own power, to discourage them from such crimes. So please, do make your voice heard, my friend. Show them that you are not a tool for them to wield.

[He said, as he tried to make yet another imPort a tool for his own political agenda.]

That's not right. No one should have that much control over someone. Especially when the people they can do it to, didn't have a choice in being brought here.

I'm not anyone's tool. Not ever again.