It's time we saw a miracle

[dun_moch]

WHO: Count Dooku catch-all (with prompts for specific characters, plus an open space)
WHERE: About and around the Porter cities
WHEN: Throughout February
WHAT: Stuff. Things.
WARNINGS: Almost certain talk of violence and villainy

A: Mr. Gold, Broom Shop, Heropa

[The Count hasn't been inside the Shop before. He casts an appraising eye over the establishment as he enters, making a little 'hm' sound to himself. It's neat and quaint and homely, very much what Dooku would have expected from Mr. Gold.

The sharp-eyed will be able to see that Dooku has some stiffness in his right arm as he steps further inside, favouring it as though he has recently been injured. But Dooku's voice is strong as he greets the proprietor.]

Good day, Mister Gold. I must say, you have a lovely shop.

B: Mark Vorkosigan, Peter Kane Enterprises, Maurtia Falls

[Dooku is already a PKE investor, which is his pretext for visiting Mark's business today. He's taken the step of wearing a formal dark business suit instead of his standard black space clothes and cape, the better to project a businesslike image. But he has more than money on his mind today, in truth.]

Good morning, Mark. It is a pleasure to see you again.

C: Darlene, Maurtia Falls Crime Museum, backdated to before the blackout

[Darlene has been an unexpectedly productive asset since Pinkman connected her to Dooku in October. Not only has she been discreet about the topics Dooku talked to her about, but the Count hasn't heard any horror stories from Baelish about how her 'computer work' for him has gone. And her hatred for the establishment burns as brightly as her talent in information warfare.

Dooku judges that the time has come to bring her into The Cause, aka the Constellation. Rather than re-use the tea shop he met her at last time, he elects to invite her to an 'educational afternoon' at one of his other preferred meeting places: the Maurtia Falls Crime Museum, a testament to that city's long history of villainy and vigilantism. He meets her in one of the quieter, darker exhibits, devoted to instances of scandal and corruption in local government.]

Hello again, Darlene.

D: Anastasya Griffin, Brew World Order Tea Shop, Maurtia Falls

[Others may have forgotten Tesladyne since its robotic founder was Ported out, but not Count Dooku. His finger remains on the pulse of imPort business and activism, and he remembers this company's work. More importantly, he remembers that Hierophant Griffin has now twice been defeated in politics, which may mean that she is reaching a most useful level of frustration.

With that in mind, Dooku has reached out to Ana for some long-overdue tea. When she arrives, she'll find the Count already seated at a booth near the back, a steaming pot of black tea in front of him.]

E: Leonard Snart, Count Dooku's home, Maurtia Falls

[Dooku is asleep when Len pays him a visit- wearing black, silk, monogrammed pyjamas, naturally. His home has an alarm system, of course, but more importantly it has Dooku himself. The Dark Side is strong in him, and when an unwelcome presence enters his sanctuary his mind senses it swiftly. The Count is awake and moving immediately, his lightsaber in his hand but not yet ignited as he stalks out of his bedroom to confront the intruder. He is not happy.]

Who dares?

F: Free space

[Anything you want! You can reach me by PM or on plurk at stroopwafelling if you want to set anything up.]

Comments

[dun_moch]

[Dooku scowls mightily when he sees who it is in his chair, drinking his wine. He thumbs the activation switch on his lightsaber, and the very short stick suddenly sprouts a humming red blade of pure energy, casting crimson light around the darkened room.]

And you have issues with self-preservation. Why are you here, Leonard Snart?

[catchacold]

Showing off, mostly. [He takes a sip of the wine, his eyes on the lightsaber and his free hand on his gun, as relaxed as he might look right now.]

I thought I'd revisit our topic of discussion, now that the lights are back on.

[dun_moch]

As you wish.

[Speaking of lights. The Count waves a hand, and the switches in the room move according to his will, illuminating the room- and demonstrating his power to this insolent interloper. But he also deactivates the lightsaber, for the moment. The energy blade makes a hissing noise as it retracts back into the hilt.]

As I recall, we were speaking of the importance of security in this dangerous world. You've certainly demonstrated that there is room for improvement in my own.

[He's going to get his NPC bodyguard to hang around his housing more after this. This is just embarrassing, and someone of Dooku's pride reacts poorly to embarrassment.]

[catchacold]

True. Although, if it helps, I'm very good at what I do. Even better at what I don't do.

[Which would be "getting caught", at least currently and when he doesn't intend for it. With the lightsaber gone, Leonard leans back, his grip around the cold gun relaxing as well.]

I thought we could do with some privacy.

[dun_moch]

We have it. You may speak freely.

[Unless someone rigged his home with bugs while he was sleeping. Dooku is suddenly more paranoid about that possibility now that Leonard has invited himself in, and will be conducting a sweep as soon as this visit ends.]

And what is it that you don't do, precisely?

[catchacold]

Kill and some of the things along those lines. I got a code.

[He always has, even though it's changed every now and then. Currently he has a reformed partner to keep in mind. No murder.]

Stealing, I do. Breaking and entering, obviously. Few things in few places that I couldn't get you.

[dun_moch]

I see.

[What kind of lousy gun for hire doesn't even kill people? Not for the first time, Dooku finds himself restraining his disappointment at the quality of this planet's henchery.]

But I am sure there are limits to your talents. Surely you could not obtain something from within... one of the Porter bases, for example.

[Dooku may not choke Leonard for breaking into his home, but maybe throwing a tough challenge at his pride will be adequate revenge.]

[catchacold]

[Simple enough, Leonard's not a gun for hire and never has been. He just takes care of business, he likes to steal and he used to kill when necessary.

Which also means that he likes a challenge. Leonard looks at Dooku as he takes a sip from his, well, Dooku's wine.]

Depends. What do you want, how soon do you need it and what's in it for me?

[dun_moch]

[The Count strokes his beard, considering. He's improvising this particular scheme on the fly, since the opportunity has so insolently presented itself, but the truth is he has been thinking about getting more information on the Porter bases for quite some time.]

I am sure there is some kind of control centre that the military uses to make the Porters send travellers to their intended destinations- from Maurtia Falls to Nonah, for instance. I would be most impressed if you could obtain images of this centre from one of the bases, and information on how it is secured. Time is no issue. As for reward...

[He half-smiles.]

Perhaps you could consider it a test. A chance to impress me with your capabilities.

[A little joke. He has no expectation that Leonard will actually risk himself just on a point of pride. Besides, a mission like this is worth spending some money on. Even if Dooku cannot personally make use of the information, he can trade or share it with his more curious allies or potential recruits to show his reach. That, in itself, is valuable.]

[catchacold]

[Given it's a joke, Leonard does let out a snort, shaking his head.]

Maybe if you'd caught me back when I was still young and insecure. I know what I'm worth. If you want to find out what I'm worth, you better be prepared to pay.

[It does seem convenient that this is something he has actually already looked into before - for obvious reasons, everyone here has some interest in the Porters and only an idiot isn't suspicious of the military. But mostly it's a challenge and, well. Leonard gets bored.]

Are you?

[dun_moch]

[The Count nods, all mirth leaving his face as he gets down to business.]

Ten thousand dollars for satisfactory information. And if you are captured, this conversation never took place.

[Dooku half-expects to see news of Leonard's arrest if he actually goes through with this. Breaking into his apartment and spying within a Porter base are two very different things.]

[catchacold]

What conversation? [With that cheeky question, Leonard finishes his wine and gets up, setting the glass down.]

I'll see what I get and then we can talk money again. Ten thousand at minimum and it's a pleasure doing business.