I stuck around St. Petersburg

[dun_moch]

WHO: Count Dooku, prompts for Darth Vader, Darlene, the Batman, and OPEN
WHERE: Out and about in all four Porter cities
WHEN: Throughout the month of June
WHAT: The Count is going to be very busy this month
WARNINGS: Violence and talk of violence



A - Anakin Skywalker, Maurtia Falls, roof of abandoned construction project, midnight

Standing on the roof with the stars above him and his cape blowing behind him in a slight wind, Dooku waits for the other Sith Lord: a certain threat, yet also a possible ally.

Darth Vader. What a powerful-sounding title, and Darth Tyranus of the Sith should know such things. When he had first met Anakin Skywalker, he had felt little but contempt for the impulsive youth, even though his former apprentice and his secret Master had both been convinced he was vitally important. He had severed Skywalker's hand on Geonosis, taken him captive on Naboo, eluded him and Kenobi on Oba Diah. He had thought he understood the boy: talented, yet too foolish to be a real danger.

Now... Dooku is not quite sure what to think. Or expect. He is not afraid though, certainly not. The Sith are without fear. The Sith make fear serve them, not the other way around. Any dark suspicions about a link between his foretold death and Skywalker becoming a Sith Lord are just that, suspicions.

The scaffolding the Count has arranged the meeting at was once intended to be a major construction project, before a significant portion of its budget 'disappeared' into the secret accounts of certain officials and their well-connected friends. Now, it is just a rusting skeleton, blotting the city's skyline while the authorities bicker over whether to demolish it or complete the project. In Dooku's view, it is typical of the corruption and incompetence that blights Maurtia Falls in particular, and the Earth and Galaxy in general. This is why the Sith are necessary, to bring order and purpose to an aimless universe.

If Lord Vader understands this necessity, then perhaps they will do great things together. If not... well. Dooku has beaten him before, and this time Darth Sidious is not present to ensure that he spares the boy.


B - Darlene, De Chima, cafe outside the Electronic Exultation tech show

Electronic Exultation is one of many annual technology conventions that showcases various cyber-wares in the bustling hub of commerce that is De Chima. Ordinarily this cafe would be packed with engineers, marketers, and enthusiasts talking about data packets and cybersecurity, but Dooku has deliberately timed this meeting to be during the reveal of a hotly-anticipated app, knowing they will have privacy while the other customers are busy goggling at whatever frivolity is being peddled across the street.

The Count knows this capitalistic environment is one that will both grate on Darlene's principles and possibly hold items of interest for her, and that it's one that she and her laptop will fit in well with as they meet. For his part, Dooku is trying to blend in more than usual today, eschewing his cape and black clothes for a suit that makes him look like just another businessman here for the tech show to anyone who doesn't already recognize his face.

"You did well last month," Dooku offers as he wraps his pale, thin hands around a cup of tea in front of him. "Yet I am sure you are aware that this is only the beginning."


C - The Batman, Heropa, metahuman investigations

Darth Tyranus can sense that Charles Collins is going to try to murder them long before the metahuman starts breathing fire. The violence within him is clear to see through the Dark Side, and Dooku doesn't need the Force to tell him that Collins is a suspicious character. Still, he pretends to be unaware of the threat as he approaches the man in the alleyway that Collins spends a suspicious amount of time hanging out in. This amateur poses no real threat to him, and besides, he wants to see what his backup will do if he was threatened.

He wants to find out the Batman is capable of.

His costumed partner on this mission certainly makes an impression, and Dooku already knows a little of the hero by reputation. He wants to know more, and he rarely does his own fighting when someone else is available to do it for him. So rather than crush Collins like an insect, the Count neatly ducks under the stream of fire that lances above his head, with speed and reflexes far beyond what would be expected from a man his age. Then he backs away, and calls out in his deep voice:

"Batman! Subdue this menace!"

Yeah, he talks like that.


D - OPEN, Nonah, NBSea press event

Dooku does have a day job aside from his political and criminal activities, and this month it obligates him to appear at a series of public events to promote the NBSea network's documentary series, Secrets of the Sea Lions, which he is currently providing the narration for. The Count can think of many, many, many things he would rather be doing than speaking to reporters and fans of nature shows while feigning enthusiasm for aquatic mammals, but he does have to keep up the appearance of being a productive and law-abiding citizen. At least for now.

The event is open to the public, if any imPorts want to observe or ask the Count questions about his vitally important work talking about how long certain pinnipeds can hold their breath. Alternatively, Dooku will be available after he escapes his camera-wielding tormentors, for any characters in need of a private chat.

E - FREE SPACE

Anything you like!

OOC note: If this is your first time playing with the Count, you may want to check out his permissions post, particularly for telepathy!

Comments

D

[lempereur]

Guess who loves nature documentaries?

Especially of the aquatic, but still somehow cuddly looking variety?

Yusuke, obviously. He came to Nonah specifically for this. The Japanese sea lion is extinct, you know. He doesn't get to see them and talk about them every day! It's all very exciting, a much needed break from all the conflicting ideas rattling around his head. Even his art had become messy and confusing and sad. Turning to nature had always been a soft reset button for him, and luckily, it was the same back home as it was here.

The joy is sucked out of him when he sees Dooku at the podium. Of all people. He can't be noticed turning and running, as much as he would like to avoid speaking with him any more, he has no choice but to stand his ground. The artist did come here for a reason, after all.

"Excuse me, Count!" His voice is deep, but not as loud as the more enthusiastic fans in the room. "Is NBSea and its affiliates doing anything to aid in conservation efforts?"

[dun_moch]

Well. This is awkward. Dooku had not expected any imPorts to show up to this event, let alone any members of the Constellation. He generally assumes that his motley assortment of renegades, radicals and criminals are the sort of people who appreciate nature documentaries about sea life.

Apparently he was wrong.

Nonetheless, the charade must continue. Dooku puts a smile on his face and raises his own deep voice to make sure his answer is heard above the crowd. "Yes, they are," he says with conviction. "The network regularly donates both money and advertising space to a variety of conservation organizations." He turns his head to say this next bit directly into the cameras, with the same sincerity and urgency that helped fan the flames of the Separatist cause back home:

"And I encourage all who value the lives of sea lions and other extraordinary creatures of the ocean to follow their example, by giving generously to groups that seek to protect Earth's waters."

[lempereur]

Yusuke, for a variety of reasons, is quite unlike the rest of the thorny assortment of criminals he had gotten himself involved with. Besides his true intentions in joining the Constellation being hidden, he cared a great deal about the people, creatures, and world around him, regardless of whether or not he could truly consider this world his.

Honestly, he knew that it was someone else's turn, but that was a very politician sort of answer. It sounded fine, but was nowhere near satisfying.

"Various? What organizations does NBSea support, specifically?" He probes, pushing his way through the crowd to in front of the podium. "There are concerns about too much effort being focused on our own waters when there is more help more desperately needed elsewhere."

[dun_moch]

The Count resists the urge to sigh. This kind of inquisitiveness is supposed to serve his interests, not the other way around. Why can't Yusuke be bothering the military with questions about nanites.

"I am sorry to say that I cannot recall the full list at this moment," Dooku says with an apologetic gesture. "My friends at NBSea employ me for my voice you see, not my memory." A little smile. A few chuckles run through the audience. Some people are starting to glare at Yusuke, because it is indeed someone else's turn. "But I believe the Pinniped Ecological Enterprise, Reef Ecological Membership, and National Waterfowl Assembly all benefit from the network's contributions."

c

[the_caped_crusader]

[Collins is dangerous, insofar as anybody with untapped power and little control over it can be. Luckily for Bruce, his years as Batman have afforded him a certain experience with pyromania. His cape and costume, layered in Nomex, allows him protection from the lick of Charles' flame.]

Hn. Thank you for the obvious.

[He gives Dooku a withering stare to express his feelings on being ordered before he leaps through the flame at his enemy and pins him to the ground, fist clenched and held cocked in front of Charles' face.]

I'd like to keep you able to talk, but if you're thinking about being clever we'll see how easy it is for you to breathe fire with a broken jaw.

[dun_moch]

[Dooku resists the urge to slow-clap at Batman's display. It really is most impressive: the fight, such as it is, over in a flash, all the power granted by Extremis reduced to a crumpled heap of a man on the ground of an alleyway. And what useful knowledge, to learn that Batman has protection against flame...]

I would listen to him if I were you, Charles. The Batman is not as... diplomatic as I am.

[Looking up at the Bat, Collins quivers and glares, but stays silent.]

[the_caped_crusader]

[He lifts charles up by the collar, and throws him against the wall, cornering him between Dooku and himself.]

I want to know if you've been approached by anybody since your abilities have manifested. Anybody unfamiliar. I want the truth.

E

[doctopussy]

The night is weary, no longer young but not so late that arriving on an almost-stranger's doorstep is entirely rude. But he needed to speak to Dooku alone, and there are no secure channels for this sort of thing that are more secure than a face to face conversation.

Otto had been keeping track of Dooku. He'd also been keeping track of the Network. Putting two and two together? Easy. What wasn't easy was deciding what to do with this information -- ignore it? Blackmail? No. Otto was reluctant to admit this, but he's without so many of his resources in this world. His assets are gone, not to mention his reputation. He's starting from scratch, and that means he needs a step-up.

His plans need financing and help to achieve. He's not certain exactly what Dooku can do for him but any port in a storm.

So here he is, on a rainy night in Maurtia Falls, his trench coat and hat drenched, his arms glistening with the water rolling off them, and a special surprise in a coat pocket. With one of his arms he raps on the door.

[dun_moch]

Dooku does not answer the door in person. Recent Leonard Snart-shaped events have led him to be far more cautious regarding the security of his government-provided home, and so his black-clad bodyguard Roland cracks open the door for him. Roland isn't carrying any visible weapon, but his body and posture suggests a formidable capability. He looks Otto up and down, taking note of the extra metal arms, and doesn't speak. He only raises an eyebrow, silently inquiring as to what this visitor wants.

[doctopussy]

The certainty of his ability to snap this man's neck and quietly walk in is palatable, but Otto isn't here to be antagonistic. Not to mention, the longer he can go without actually committing a crime would be preferable in this universe; as long as he has a clean slate it's far more advantageous to have restraint.

So instead he smiles at the man, taking off his hat. "If you could inform the Count that Dr. Otto Octavius is here? I know it's past the hour of a cordial visit, but I've discovered something while stargazing."

He's still smiling as the clouds are thick and dark overhead, covering the sky. But did he stutter? No.

d

[h2no]

Holy god damn shit SEALIONS ARE AMAZING. You can bet your ass Archie wants this documentary. He wants to see sea lions - they look like Walreins! That's adorable! - but figures they aren't around cities much.

"--Ey, ey! Doobie!" He calls out, when he sees the Count in the Star Area. What important question could he have? "Didja get ta keep one?!"

...Nope.

[dun_moch]

Dooku hates everything. A corner of his mouth twitches when he hears Archie's voice- a restrained, subtle movement oddly similar to a lion swishing its tail.

"Hello, Archie." It's a testament to the Count's self-control that he does not sigh as he turns to give Archie his full attention. "No, I'm afraid not. I have learned from this project that our sea lion friends are noble creatures who thrive most in the wild ocean, away from human hands. It would have been unwise of me to keep one for myself, even if I had wanted to."

Which he didn't. He really, really didn't want to keep a sea lion. You can't even feed your enemies to them, so what good are they really???

[h2no]

That still confuses him, the relative weakness of animals in this world.

"Ah. Right, cause they look like Walreins, which are basically sea lions where I come from. They can fire ice beams out their mouths," he says with a shrug. "How'd you get the job?"

[nastygram]

"Wow, thanks."

Dooku looks like a businessman, and, across the cafe table from him and his suit, Darlene looks like Darlene. Her complete disinterest in disguising herself or altering her signature fashion works in the setting Dooku has chosen for this meeting. This close to a tech con, a visually classic dichotomy like the two of them, getting together for a cup of tea, is pretty normal. You've got your suits, and your nots, and then whatever range that falls in between. The lure of cool tech works just as well on the suits and the nots--and, unfortunately, on Darlene, to an extent. As retro as this place is, there is some cool tech.

Her laptop is out on the table but closed, securely. The space it would take up in her backpack is occupied by stuff she bought. Accurate to Dooku's assessment, Darlene's disdain for the structure and enslavement of capitalism has not prohibited her from taking a quick shopping trip with some of her hard-earned money. Ignore the panels, stay for the stuff.

Right now, she slurps, loudly, at her straw. Blasé as her tone is, she appreciates the praise.

"If you're being sarcastic, full disclosure that I will stand up and dump this iced coffee in your lap."

[dun_moch]

"I assure you, I am fully in earnest," Dooku responds smoothly, albeit with a cautious eye kept on that iced coffee just in case. There aren't many people who would actually go and dump iced coffee in the lap of a Sith Lord, especially a Sith Lord they're being paid by, but Darlene is... herself. "Your achievement was significant. We have proven that our enemy's security can be breached, and the world now knows that our organization is here to fight for truth."

He pauses, then sighs and heaves a shrug. "It is... unfortunate that so few imPorts have recognized the significance of what you and Neptune have revealed. They continue to make excuses for the authorities, rather than recognize the implications of what you discovered."

[nastygram]

Reassured for the moment, at least, Darlene slumps in her chair and slurps again at her iced coffee. Lack of tension confirms her current lack of interest in any iced coffee surprises.

It's short lived contentment. Her mouth is quick to twist with displeasure around her straw. Despite what might have been suggested by all the lines about solidarity and brotherhood in their announcement, Darlene's opinion of the other imPorts is--unsurprisingly--very low.

"For real. It is mega depressing but also not a surprise to me that we are surrounded by stubborn dickweeds who would rather suck at the sweet easy sugar tit than do anything real. It's like--leading the horse to water, can't make the horse drink, blah blah--"

She rolls her eyes and latches again to the straw, for a consoling sip of iced coffee. It does very little to soothe how annoyed she is.

"Maybe I'm just pissed off that everybody was some condescending and holier than thou about this, but you want to know what I think? I think we are going to have to make these assholes recognize. Do some shit to them that hurts so they get it."

NBSea Presents...

[dirtyredneck]

Daryl only showed up because the damn thing was happening in Nonah and he saw Dooku's name being bandied about. Fortunately for him, the network was playing several clips of the documentary for all to see and hear. It was actually entertaining in the sense of being an engaging enough watch. But also 'cause it was funny hearing Dooku narrating the sad day a sealion pup had trying to hunt for the first time and getting it's meal stolen. It was adorable at the same time it was hilarious.

He waited until after event was over to mosey on over to Dooku and give him a nod while fighting (not very hard) to hide a smile.

"Hey."

[dun_moch]

"Mister Dixon. What an unexpected pleasure."

Dooku saw the hidden smile, and pretended not to notice, composing himself with the bearing of a proud noble who most certainly was not embarrassed at all by his career describing the sorrows of young, hungry sea lions. It helped that while Dooku did not think very highly of Earth's conservation efforts, he had given his all to his narrative duties. Pride in his work and in his oratory abilities was a constant to the Count.

"I wasn't aware your passion for nature extended to the oceans. Have you enjoyed the event?"

[dirtyredneck]

"It weren't so bad," he answered, glancing over his shoulder to make sure no one was getting too close as people started to filter out. It seemed, for the moment, the others in the area were content to let the two imPorts speak in relative privacy.

"What I saw of the documentary was good. Ain't watched one of those in years. You doing any more?"

A

[prophesiedone]

Fear is what drives him; what gives him his strength and power to do the seemingly impossible. As his fear, anger and frustration grows - with the Jedi Council, Jedi in general and Padmé's future - Anakin has found his skills increasing rapidly. He will need them to establish his Empire. Not Sidious's. His. But he cannot make the mistake of forgetting what he has seen in his visions.

He must find a way to overcome death first. Then he will be free from doubt; from fear; from the agony Shmi Skywalker's death left in his cratering heart. With Padmé at his side, they will raise a family and transform the galaxy into something...wonderful.

As it should be.

Even without directions, Anakin seeks out Dooku with all the accuracy of a homing beacon. Using the Force with lazy ease, he lifts himself onto the scaffolding, the hood of his cloak billowing slightly with the rush of air. When he turns to focus on the Count, two piercingly yellow-gold eyes will have replaced Anakin's usual blue.

"Count." he summons his lightsaber into his hand, flexing his mechno-arm as it burns at the wrist, "Doing well?" his voice is ironically light, but the smile that accompanies it is bitter and sharp.

Unhinged.

[dun_moch]

"Lord Vader."

Dooku can at least observe the courtesy of using Skywalker's Sith name, his name of power. He can sense the boy has earned that much at least- he can see it in his unstable yellow eyes. Dooku's own face remains as calm and composed as ever, concealing the true darkness within.

"That remains to be seen. Let us find out if you truly are the Sith you claim to be."

The Count's own lightsaber ignites at his side, a humming bar of red light, and he raises it in a little salute before setting it in his customary guarding position. For a moment, Dooku has a flash of deja vu- the cave in Geonosis, the Padawan trying to face a Sith Lord alone in defense of his fallen Master, and losing a hand in the process.

So much has changed since then. One thing has not: Count Dooku is one of the greatest duellists in the Galaxy.

[prophesiedone]

The sound of the name felt both ominous and right. He liked that Dooku saw to the niceties; maybe there was a point to being so damn polished and polite after all. His lips twitched and he drew out his own lightsaber, igniting the blue blade. The weapon seemed to hum enthusiastically, ready to clash, to cut; to kill.

"That shouldn't take long." he had been a different person on Geonosis - a child, really. Now he was proud and inviting in the Darkness, letting it wrap around him like a massive cloak. With a feral grin, he launched himself forward a split second after the salute, eager to fight; eager to clash. The crack of energy meeting energy was music to his ears and he moved with lightning reflexes, showing no strain and no mercy.

D NBSea

[stretchy_girl]

"Count Duckles!"

A high pitched voice pipes up out of the crowd and a little blonde girl pushes her way forward, holding out a paper pad which features a number of crayon drawings of animals, and what looks like a likeness of Dooku himself, drawn as a stick figure in red with a cape and fluffy beard. Clearly she's a fan.

"Daddy said you might sign this for me?" The girl gives Dooku an adorably cute smile and offers him the pad, seemingly oblivious to all the 'Aww's' from the other press conference attendees and the flashes of cameras.

The free photo op is the least Gemini can do for her leader, even if she is having a little fun at his expense.

[dun_moch]

Dooku will remember this, Gemini, both as favour and insult. He forces himself to behave as he always does when forced into a situation involving insufferably precious young kings: smiling benevolently and humouring her, as though he could not sense the little girl's true identity. If nothing else, at least he now knows how convincing Gemini's impersonations can be... And that she has no qualms about involving children in her games. So much the better.

"But of course, my dear, of course," he says as he emits a deep, good-nature chuckle and flourishes a pen. "It would be my pleasure. Who should I make it out to?"

[stretchy_girl]

"To Amy, that's me!" The little girl beamed in delight, bouncing on her heels and clapping her hands together in youthful exuberance. It was hard to know from his reaction whether or not he'd rumbled her yet, the Count having the annoying ability to see through her disguises. But in case he hadn't her emblem briefly appeared on the 'paper' by Dooku's pen, followed by some words which vanished as quickly as they appeared:

'Continue this somewhere more private?'

"Will you help me find my daddy? I'm sure he'd like to meet you!" The little girl asked, visibly over the moon, offering a teeny little hand to the Count to take and a cute smile as icing on the adorable cake. Gemini would add a second Count Duckles, but she senses that would be pushing her luck.