IC Contact post for Mask or Menace

[dun_moch]

"You have reached Count Dooku. I regret that I am unavailable to answer your hail. Kindly leave a message, and I shall respond at the earliest opportunity."

Text | E-mail | Voicemail | Phone call | Hologram | Other

Comments

video;

[fleuretted]

[ 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?

video;

[dun_moch]

[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.]

video;

[fleuretted]

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?

video;

[dun_moch]

[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.

video;

[fleuretted]

[ 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...?

video;

[dun_moch]

[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.

video;

[fleuretted]

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. ]

video;

[dun_moch]

[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.

video;

[fleuretted]

[ Her nose wrinkles initially at his mirth -- mildly affronted that he would find the prospect of dating her laughable. But then he pretty much claims that's on him and his oldness. ]

Well, a doctor's not bad. I think my grandma would be happy with that. But why do you say you're too old? Are you ever too old for love? Or, well, the benefits that come from an agreed upon marriage arrangement?

[ Raina's under no delusion that romance and love are alive in all relationships. ]

video;

[dun_moch]

[Dooku sighs, not unfondly.]

Let us say that I have never held much interest in romance. And as for benefits, there are other ways to gain similar advantages without all the ceremony and fuss of a wedding.

[A glint of interest flashes in his dark eyes.]

Your grandmother sounds like a wise woman.