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

[dun_moch]

[A good start. Softly now, softly but firmly-]

Is that really so undesirable? A straight line, at least, may lead somewhere. Far more preferable than thinking in a circle, wouldn't you agree? Always leading back to the same place- most tiresome.

[And that has been a common failing of those who devote themselves to a singular concept, in Dooku's experience. He had once idly asked Grievous, after a training session, what he might do once all the Jedi were dead. The warlord had recoiled slightly, and offered some vagueness about finding a new worthy foe, before initiating a new and furious sparring session. A drawback of living solely for the struggle- one becomes ill-equipped to attain victory.]

Feel free to have Dooku's telepathy work on these brackets btw

[restingstitchface]

Well, circular logic cannot be proven inductively by empirical evidence. My research is-

[based on emperical evidence; all of his past has informed his present.]

-not based on the assumption of a subject needing to be proven. It is a principle of nature that living beings feel fear. Your statement that a straight line must lead somewhere suggests a vertical inclination. Pray tell, what if that line was horizontal?

[dun_moch]

Then it would suggest to me a course not worth following. I prefer to keep my lines pointing upward.

[He reaches out with his mind- gingerly, aware he is engaging with a rather different consciousness here. He senses doubt, invasive slivers of anxiety regarding the past, but also deep revulsion at the presence of that doubt in his mind. Crane hates the presence of weakness in his own self... Dooku can relate.]

Which returns us to the original query. Just what is the goal of your research? Your topic is a proven principle of nature, very good, but where is it leading? What great and important question do you seek to answer? How loud a person can be made to scream? Speaking for myself, I have little interest in such noise.

[restingstitchface]

My goal, as you simply describe it, is to contribute research to the scientific community's understanding of fear. I seek to beget progress. Too many are incapable of making it; they are content to live in mental squalor and ignorance.

[And of course. He doesn't believe anyone else to be as capable.]

Fear is the greatest emotion that drives human action and influences behavior. If that emotion can be understood, it can be controlled. People can control their lives. Does that answer your question?

[dun_moch]

Understand fear to control it- and so control one's life. How interesting. That does indeed answer my question.

[The Count sounds pleased. As though Crane has impressed him with something.]

It is possible that our views may coincide more than I previously expected... although our methods differ greatly.

[restingstitchface]

[Oh. That's interesting.

Doubly so when he considers the path this conversation's taken. And that it's occurred at all.]

Yes, but the wildflower variety of our existence in this bubble is one of life's pleasures. Don't you think so?

[A beat.]

Anyway, perhaps if I would learn a bit more about you our approaches could become more complimentary...

[dun_moch]

I am still evaluating what this 'bubble', as you put it, has to offer. But I will say that the range of perspectives I have encountered has been quite stimulating.

[Dooku will admit that thus far the imPorts are, in general, a little more intelligent and intriguing than the frequently dull inhabitants of his own Galaxy. A little.]

What if I were to tell you that there was a philosophy in my Galaxy that has contemplated the same questions you study for many thousands of years? A school of thought which understands the power of fear... and explores its control?

[restingstitchface]

Well, I would tell you I find the concept fascinating. Then I would question why you wish to share it with me, as you are doubtlessly aware of my reputation.

[Crane doesn't trust anyone. This man is a little more strident than the others in this dump, to share such information. But the question is why is he sharing it at all? What does he want?]

But you speak of philosophy. I speak of science. Active experimentation.

[Yes, you can guess what that means.]

My understanding of fear has no equal. But that does not mean my search is over. What is the name of this school of philosophy?

[dun_moch]

That is a good question. You are quite a fearsome terrorist, after all. Your experimentation is infamous. While I see nothing harmful with granting you a few minutes polite conversation, others might be less charitable. I would hate for there to be a misunderstanding with my fine new imPort friends about why I am discussing such matters with the terrible Scarecrow.

[A pause, letting the implications (and flattery) swirl as they will in Crane's mind.]

Yes, I believe it would be wiser to distance myself for now. I have many other pressing matters to concern myself with. I thank you for your courtesy regarding Harleen Quinzel, Doctor Crane. Perhaps we will speak more on these topics another time. Until then, I will hope for your successful rehabilitation.

[Another beat, then:]

Oh. And the name of this philosophy is the Dark Side.

[restingstitchface]

[Fearsome. Infamous. The need for caution. A terror of being associated with him, even if Dooku doesn't particularily care for society's opinion underneath it all.

One can imagine him preening himself, pleased with his own intellect.]

It is by no means irrational that an emotion that frightens everyone throughout the galaxy is referred to as darkness. [He supposes. The phrase itself is simplistic. But the most beautiful things in life can be simple.] But it not the darkness that makes day so bright? Anyway, I digress. This has been a pleasing conversation.