dun_moch | IC Contact post for Mask or Menace

Greetings, Lord Marr. How may I help you?

[Dooku sounds polite, but cautious.]

[Caution is wise, Marr's voice is even and calm, giving nothing away. But it is clear he is accustomed to being obeyed.]

You can give me what you know of Sith culture, as well as how we are viewed in your time. I do not require this immediately. You may have time to contemplate the subject, or to write it down if you prefer.

There are also formalities to observe. It would be appropriate for you to come to me, but in light of your supervision and probation, you may choose where we shall meet.

[Only towards the end does he deviate from his usual calm, no hint of a threat in his voice, but his interest is clear.]

If you wish to meet in person, it will not be possible for us to have proper privacy. For obvious reasons, my movements are currently the subject of great scrutiny.

[Which is just fine with Dooku, as there is no way he is willing to meet a strange Sith alone, powerless, without any witnesses or protection on hand.]

Proper privacy will not be necessary, though I will not be pleased if we must have an audience on hand.

[Nothing illegal or which will require his watcher to intervene.]

You may have to become used to displeasure, in this place. All power is limited here... even the power of the Dark Side.

The limitation of power is another topic for discussion. Your current situation in particular is worth exploring.

I would be happy to explain more regarding my immediate predicament. Especially if I can help others avoid the same fate.

Then we shall do so in person, where I will have a better sense of your current state.

[And also an easier time discerning if Dooku is trying to deceive him.]

Very well then, Lord Marr.

There is a park in Maurtia Falls. I will notify you of the time once I am able.

A suitable location.

I shall see you then, Count Dooku.

[ At first Raina had simply been trying to fit into the world, survive in it. Until she started to discover threads of a former life -- things tied to her name. An apartment. Her communicator. A few contacts she seemed to keep at high priority on her list. The first: Frederick Chilton. The second: Count Dooku.

She stares at the names for a while, tosses a coin. And when it lands on tails, she gives Dooku a call. A video chat. Raina is a bit scrappy. Not so well-dressed. And not the elegant woman she is under normal circumstances. A sign she had to fight hard to become that. ]

We're friends, right?

[Dooku is momentarily discomfited to see a child contacting him, before he sees who it is. Oh. Oh. Now, this is unfortunate.]

We are indeed. Hello, Raina. I take it you do not remember me.

[With anyone else, Dooku might take this as an opportunity- to probe, to influence. With Raina, he simply looks tired and maybe a little sad. Seeing her stripped of her grace and elegance like this is like seeing an artwork defaced.]

I don't.

[ She admits, her brows knitting as she tries to place him -- as though perhaps it's simply out of her reach. ]

But I know I must know you. And I know I must trust you. So I'm trying to understand what is happening. What has happened to me.

[ A beat. Well. It's worth a shot: ]

Also you don't happen to know my banking information, do you?

[The Count half-smiles.]

I'm afraid that is one secret of yours I have never learned. A pity, as you are quite a wealthy woman... of great intelligence and power.

It was those traits that led to us becoming allies, long ago.

[ Rats. But the compliments -- well they make her preen a bit. So there is light at the end of the tunnel. Raina will get out of this shitty situation and become something grand -- the angel her grandmother promised. She smiles, genuine and touched, after his words. ]

Well, you must be a man of great intelligence and power yourself. I don't tend to waste my time on things that are beneath me.

[ Raina's ambitions will only lead her upward. ]

Am I doing well in this world? I mean, am I influential...?

[ Raina will give Dooku the option to not show his injuries. But she won't give him the option to quietly recover as she calls. ]

I just saw the news report. What happened?

[ Her tone is a mix between concern and incredulity. She thought she could have secured Grievous. She was working toward it anyway. But he acted before she could get him focused on something other than his revenge. And now, now Dooku hadn't only been humiliated mentally -- but physically as well. ]

[Dooku smiles as she preens and flatters. A little sadly.]

You have made history here. Few in our community can match your reach. Politics, science, celebrity, healing... you have made your mark in all these and more.

[Dooku's voice is weak with pain and exhaustion, yet brimming with fury.]

He ambushed me. Without my lightsaber, I could not properly defend myself.

[He scoffs, thick with disgust.]

Not one of the so-called heroes out there will lift a finger against this humiliation. I have always known this was the true nature of their 'justice.'

Of course they won't. Had you died, they would have celebrated...and then continued to call themselves heroes. But I am certain you will have your revenge.

[ Raina's voice softens. ]

How are you healing?

[ Unfortunately, she doesn't have healing powers. But fortunately, she does have science to accelerate the process. ]

Seems like I have a bright future waiting for me.

[ She tilts her head, curiously. ]

So what is our relationship, precisely? Are we...together?

[ Raina doesn't seem to cringe away from the idea. Even if Dooku is old, there's definitely something regal about him. ]

[The Count snorts mightily. Laughter rumbles deep within him, but doesn't quite escape.]

Goodness, no. I am far too old for such games.

You are engaged to Doctor Frederick Chilton, a respected psychiatrist who administers his own hospital. From all that I have seen, the two of you are very well matched.

Edited 2018-07-30 01:05 (UTC)

Yes... yes. I will have satisfaction.

[It's all that is keeping him going at this point. That and spite.]

Slowly. The nanites are working, but the process is hardly easy.

I was discharged from the hospital without proper medication, of course.

There are some things I can offer. I don't have any healing abilities, unfortunately. But I have done a lot of hands on research about accelerated immune system repair and cellular regeneration. I could make something to help you.

[Dooku allows himself a small sigh of relief, before catching the risk inherent.]

Your skills would be a great comfort, my friend. But are you certain? There could be consequences if you are found to be helping me.

[It would raise unwanted questions after their public 'falling out' so nicely distanced her from Dooku's tainted legacy.]

Who would find out? I won't say anything. And you won't say anything. Unless you believe we are being heavily observed?

[ Which....don't these people have something better to do? ]

IC Contact post for Mask or Menace

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