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IC Contact post for Mask or Menace
Text | E-mail | Voicemail | Phone call | Hologram | Other
Text | E-mail | Voicemail | Phone call | Hologram | Other
Well, for what it's worth, I've actually been unsettled ever since I came here. I have never felt unsafe before now. [A beat.] Well...not because of the U.S. government, anyway.
[The concerned frown is evident in his voice.] Do you believe that will change?
[The concerned frown is evident in his voice.] Do you believe that will change?
[ After talking to him back at the Seminar, Kaneki sort of grew interested in Dooku's words ]
Count Dooku, hello. This is Kaneki.
I hope you are well, after all that happened.
Count Dooku, hello. This is Kaneki.
I hope you are well, after all that happened.
I believe it is a serious risk. The government has been hurt and embarrassed by this Soviet attack. No one in authority enjoys having power taken away from them. And a government's support rests on whether it can convince its people that it can protect them.
[Dooku lowers his voice, amping up the ominousness in his tone.]
We have already seen what steps they are willing to take to rectify the situation. Who knows what they may do next?
[Dooku lowers his voice, amping up the ominousness in his tone.]
We have already seen what steps they are willing to take to rectify the situation. Who knows what they may do next?
[The growing connection with Kaneki was one of the only decent things to come out of the humiliation that was the Seminar. Dooku could sense strong, twisted feelings beneath the boy's placid and friendly exterior- feelings of great rage, pain, and sorrow. Feelings he could work with. So it is a small but badly-needed pleasure to hear from him, as Dooku is recovering from his ordeals.]
Greetings, Kaneki. I am unharmed, despite the best efforts of our enemies. [Bullshit.] I hope the same can be said for yourself.
Greetings, Kaneki. I am unharmed, despite the best efforts of our enemies. [Bullshit.] I hope the same can be said for yourself.
I'm glad to hear. And I've recovered enough; I admit watching the Soviets being put in their place was something I was expecting. [ eagerly. ]
I'm sorry to bother you about this, but during the Seminar you mentioned meditation. I admit I tried to read a book on it, but it didn't work much. [ kaneki's head is way too loud ]
I'm sorry to bother you about this, but during the Seminar you mentioned meditation. I admit I tried to read a book on it, but it didn't work much. [ kaneki's head is way too loud ]
[Though Dooku can't see it, Manolo frowns at those words. At this point, he has no desire to outright antagonize the government. Would something passive like staying unsettled really invite the same wrath they showed to their enemies?
He bites his lip for a moment before asking:]
Is that why you decided to register?
He bites his lip for a moment before asking:]
Is that why you decided to register?
[Dooku affects a thoughtful tone.]
I registered on the advice of Ambassador Francis Urquhart. He made a persuasive case for the decision soon after my arrival. A 'harmless gesture', he called it. Needless to say, I am now considering alternative options. And it is good that you too are giving thought to these matters.
I registered on the advice of Ambassador Francis Urquhart. He made a persuasive case for the decision soon after my arrival. A 'harmless gesture', he called it. Needless to say, I am now considering alternative options. And it is good that you too are giving thought to these matters.
[Convenience is a valid reason for other people to register, especially since this world is so vastly different from what so many are used to. Manolo generally gives his feelings more weight when making decisions, though, and he’s not about to stop now. He doesn’t blame the Count for rethinking some of his choices.]
what do you mean?
like telling the government
you no longer want to be
listed as registered?
[Are there other alternatives he hasn't considered?]
what do you mean?
like telling the government
you no longer want to be
listed as registered?
[Are there other alternatives he hasn't considered?]
No apology is needed, I assure you. My offer was genuine, and remains open if you are interested.
[Dooku gives no comment on the invaders receiving their commeuppance, but he silently hopes that they suffered.]
The techniques I know are not something one can learn from a book. It is best if the knowledge is taught in person.
[Dooku gives no comment on the invaders receiving their commeuppance, but he silently hopes that they suffered.]
The techniques I know are not something one can learn from a book. It is best if the knowledge is taught in person.
I see-
I am interested, Count.And if this month goes smoothly, I'm available during afternoons. I can try to do something in the mornings, if required, too.
I am interested, Count.And if this month goes smoothly, I'm available during afternoons. I can try to do something in the mornings, if required, too.
That is among the options I am considering. But I am afraid it may be an empty gesture. They have power over us, no matter what our tattoos read. The decision may become meaningless, if they decide to coerce the Unsettled into fighting their wars. As long as they control our nanites, the Porter, and nullifier weapons, there is little we could do to stop them.
What I would like to do is to change these circumstances. To make certain the choices of imPorts in this world have meaning.
[He will not be conscripted or controlled again. The Soviets made sure of that.]
What I would like to do is to change these circumstances. To make certain the choices of imPorts in this world have meaning.
[He will not be conscripted or controlled again. The Soviets made sure of that.]
[Dooku has a point. As long as the balance of power is stacked so heavily in the US government's favor, then they live under the possibility of the US stripping them of their choices the same way the Soviets did. Will the war really warp policies toward imPorts that dramatically, though?]
Change the circumstances? Do you mean petitioning the government for different laws?
Change the circumstances? Do you mean petitioning the government for different laws?
Good. I will make time for you in my afternoons as well.
[His schedule is fairly crowded in between scheming, networking, and singing lessons, but Kaneki has potential. It is worth making a space to cultivate him.]
I must warn you, this is a significant commitment you are making. It took much time for me to master the knowledge I have. As we discussed before, a mind and its passions are difficult to discipline. You will need to practice regularly.
[His schedule is fairly crowded in between scheming, networking, and singing lessons, but Kaneki has potential. It is worth making a space to cultivate him.]
I must warn you, this is a significant commitment you are making. It took much time for me to master the knowledge I have. As we discussed before, a mind and its passions are difficult to discipline. You will need to practice regularly.
Yes- to begin with. I am a politician, after all. I have always believed that if one does not like the game that is being played, it should always be possible to simply change the rules. And the rules we are under now are hardly fair.
But back to yourself. Why are you considering Registering, under these circumstances?
But back to yourself. Why are you considering Registering, under these circumstances?
[Manolo nods to himself as he listens to Dooku's answer. Changing the rules through legitimate means is usually the ideal option, but the Mexican Revolution serves as proof that this isn't always possible. Still, Dooku is a smart man, and he must believe there's at least some chance at changing these policies with a little negotiation and outside pressure.]
For imPorts and our Mexican friends, mostly. If more of us are taken overseas, I don't want to just stand back and watch the rescue teams leave without me. And since the Mexican government has decided to stand with imPorts, there is a chance the Soviets will attack them someday. I'd like to help my people if that ever happens.
For imPorts and our Mexican friends, mostly. If more of us are taken overseas, I don't want to just stand back and watch the rescue teams leave without me. And since the Mexican government has decided to stand with imPorts, there is a chance the Soviets will attack them someday. I'd like to help my people if that ever happens.
Of course, I understand. I will try my best, Count.
[ he is a real fast learner, so Dooku will eventually see ]
Thank you so much for everything.
[ he is a real fast learner, so Dooku will eventually see ]
Thank you so much for everything.
Hm, yes. Those are wise reasons to consider a change. Especially the thought of Mexico: your country earned great gratitude from our community during the occupation. And I did promise them we would reward any assistance.
[A promise Dooku intends to keep so long as it suits his interests- both in terms of the Mexicans being useful, and in terms of impressing his fellow imPorts with how trustworthy he is.]
For the moment, Registering may be the only option available to you. But consider: this is only the case because the government has made it this way. The day may come where imPorts are free to help others anywhere in the world, with or without the permission of any authority. A fine goal to work towards, don't you think?
[A promise Dooku intends to keep so long as it suits his interests- both in terms of the Mexicans being useful, and in terms of impressing his fellow imPorts with how trustworthy he is.]
For the moment, Registering may be the only option available to you. But consider: this is only the case because the government has made it this way. The day may come where imPorts are free to help others anywhere in the world, with or without the permission of any authority. A fine goal to work towards, don't you think?
That is true. I just want to help people without having to pledge myself to any military. My best friend is a soldier who registered, and that's fine for him. But I'm not a soldier, and it would be nice if we at least had a couple of other ways to legally help if our friends and allies are attacked.
It would be 'nice' indeed. But in the eyes of the current laws, your desire would make you a criminal if you ever acted on it. Most distasteful.
[Dooku puts a controlled note of disgust and righteous indignation in his voice, the better to encourage similar feelings in Manolo.]
This soldier friend of yours. Do I know him?
[Dooku puts a controlled note of disgust and righteous indignation in his voice, the better to encourage similar feelings in Manolo.]
This soldier friend of yours. Do I know him?
Edited 2016-03-12 01:17 (UTC)
[Manolo pauses, mulling over the man's words. Showing a blatant disregard for the law is pretty disrespectful toward the natives, and it's admittedly one reason why he hesitates to go into conflicts with his Unsettled status...]
Yes. His name is Joaquin Mondragon. He came with us to Mexico, actually.
Yes. His name is Joaquin Mondragon. He came with us to Mexico, actually.
He started training to become a soldier when he was very young.
My dear Count. Have you got a moment or two? Little chat.
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