Give him all he needs

[dun_moch]

WHO: Count Dooku, Mr. Gold, and OPEN thread
WHERE: The Broom Shop in Heropa, then in places in the other Porter cities
WHEN: Over the weekend, from April 15th to 17th.
WHAT: Count Dooku gains a magical talisman with protective powers... only to lose his Dark Side abilities in exchange. This ruins his weekend.
WARNINGS: Should be none

[Starters in comments below.]

Comments

April 15th - Obtaining the talisman (Closed to Mr. Gold)

[dun_moch]

[It has been a sore trial, collecting hair from suitable candidates like some manner of degenerate fetishist, but Count Dooku has endured it for the sake of accessing the sorcerous power Mr. Gold possesses. The Count needs more protection, more defense, more security in this dangerous world, and if that means providing the broom-maker with odd ingredients, so be it.

Fortunately, the Broom Shop is almost empty when the Count pays it a visit. It wouldn't do to have witnesses for Dooku's business there today as he approaches the counter, a small cloth bag held up in his hand.]

Vigilance. Capability. And sacrifice. I have your ingredients, Mr. Gold.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ It's seemingly zero effort at all to have his customers' attention focused elsewhere. Gold examines what is placed before him. Honestly, he's impressed Dooku took this long to bring them together, not as a matter of impatience, but because he expected he would rush it even more.

When he takes it into his palm, each sample seems to glow from within, each a separate color, visible even through the cloth as though they lay naked on his hand. When he speaks, his voice is low and private. ]

So you have. You're old enough that I needn't remind you that power always comes with a price. Sometimes that price is that you follow its demands to the letter. Sometimes it's that one meaning behind a message that we never thought of that gets us.

[ He closes his hand around the bag -- whatever its size it disappears into his closed fist completely. When he opens it again, a medallion is in its place. The glows seem to live in its stone, even as the light dies away. ]

My price is a separate matter, but I think you knew what I would want before this conversation began. It pays to have friends in high places. A later favor. That is all I require.

[ He offers the piece. ]

Accepting this is all you need do to make an accord.

[dun_moch]

[Dooku looks down at the medallion for a moment, as though examining it for some hidden trap. He had not known what to expect from Gold's power, but for such transmutation to take place in the closing of a hand is more than he expected. And the glowing of the stone in his new prize does not go unnoticed. A source of power, perhaps?

There is only one way to learn its true potential. Count holds out his hand to take his new protector.]

We have an accord, my friend. You may call upon me the next time you have need, and I promise I will do whatever is in my power to repay this service.

[It's not that Dooku forgets or ignores Gold's warnings. He is indeed old, and experienced, and has a mind like an iron vise which lets little go. It would be more accurate to say that Dooku has come to think so little of his crimes that the risk of handing Gold corrupted ingredients carries equally little weight with him. So he has given over one brown lock of hair paid for with money, another stolen without permission in the heat of battle, and a blond sample obtained through the deception of a child, all from people the Count has little genuine connection with, despite Gold's previous instruction that the ingredients have personal meaning.

This will not end well.]

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ Friend. He knew he was just being cordial, even a touch hyperbolic, but Gold's smile is knowing. ] I trust that you will.

[ When his customers meandered closer to the counter with purchases of their own, his tone became more business-like, as though he'd just taken a commission of a more conventional sort. ]

Can I get you anything else?

[dun_moch]

[For courtesy's sake, Dooku casts a curious look over Gold's other wares just to show polite interest. As though he would ever come in here for a broom or a basket.]

Not at present, Mr. Gold. Thank you once again- I am sure we will do more business in the future.

April 16th - Power disruption (OTA)

[dun_moch]

[A small, shiny medallion now grants Dooku exceptionally good fortune when evading harm, whether through accident or attack. Mr. Gold had specified that the talisman was only to be used when necessary. In Dooku's eyes, the protection of a person as important as himself is a constant necessity, so he loses no time in beginning to use the talisman continually. He carries it with him constantly, in one of the hidden pockets within his cape, and immediately begins to test its true capability.

The initial tests are cautious. He asks his bodyguard to attempt attacking him- after scanning the man's mind for treachery, of course. The bodyguard's attempts fail. He suddenly misses easy punches, or slips on a completely dry floor. Encouraged, Dooku increases the boldness of his tests to the point of deliberately 'forgetting' to wait for the light when crossing the street, then smirking when an oncoming vehicle has its engine suddenly die out before it can hit him.

However, power has its price, magical power especially. By the next day, Dooku has realized that something is terribly wrong. He cannot sense the thoughts and feelings of the fools around him anymore. When he focuses on the anger and hatred within his heart, he does not feel the power of the Dark Side gathering at his fingertips. Worst of all, during his regular lightsaber practice his long years of experience and skill utterly desert him, leaving him a feeble, clumsy old man flailing about dangerously with a laser sword that suddenly feels unfamiliar in the hands that originally crafted it.

It is an unacceptable situation, and Dooku does not accept it. Initially, at least, he refuses to accept the choice between defensive protection and the power to crush his enemies. Instead, throughout April 16th Dooku can be found in all four Porter cities, ignoring the Easter holiday in favour of the far more important business of regaining his full strength. He pores through books in libraries, conducts online research in cafes, and meditates cross-legged in parks in an effort to find something, anything, that will let him reconnect with the Dark Side without forsaking his new talisman.

He fails. Repeatedly. Come bother him while he's vulnerable!]

library!

[kingsroads]

[ The problem with Jonathan Strange is that his magical perception is iffy at best. So he can tell there's something weird going on and something oddly magical in the library, but he can't place entirely what it is. It manifests as a little nagging feeling, the magical equivalent of what happens when one appliance somewhere is beeping because of low batteries but you can't figure out which one is beeping to begin with. Which really, considering that he's trying to do research and learn more about the histories of various nations for the past two, is enough to make Strange give up the research and try to find out what's going on.

The going theory is that it's a book somewhere because duh, library. And that older gentleman over there has a couple of books about magic. Perhaps it's one of those? He's never heard of a magical book before but then again, before this month, he's never heard of someone getting flung two hundred years into their future, onto a different continent before either. Jonathan Strange was quickly learning to adapt to this nonsense as it was thrown at him. ]

Excuse me, [ he says, as he gives Dooku a small nod. ] Might I look at those books for a moment?

[ It certainly can't hurt to look through them and see. And, depending on the books, he might be able to suggest some actual texts that might be useful to the gentleman. The fact that people in this world thought that crystals were an acceptable source of magic was a tragedy in itself.

Also, if the British accent didn't give it away, the fact that Strange has absolutely no idea how to dress is straight up giving away the fact that he's an imPort. Nobody in 2017 wears a vest, you moron, please try to adapt quicker. ]

[dun_moch]

[Dooku sighs, leans back, and gently shoves the books away from him, toward his fellow imPort- because it is indeed easy to perceive that Strange is another imPort, even without the aid of the Dark Side. It is Dooku's power that has dimmed, not his eyes.]

Be my guest. These are of little use to me, I'm afraid.

[It had been a long chance to begin with, thinking native literature could hold some insight into matters of imPort power. But a chance worth taking, to regain his abilities.]

[kingsroads]

[ Strange idly picks up the books, frowning as he looks them over. No, no, no, oh this one is interesting. He pauses to look at one book for a second and then just tucks that one under his arm. Sorry Dooku, were you going to read that one? Strange is taking it.
The last book in the stack is one he actually recognizes—Strange's face lights up as he spots it. ]

I've only read about half of this one, but what I've read it's quite good. The author actually knows a thing or two about magic unlike some of these other sorts.

[ Strange will forever be bitter and grumpy that chakras are apparently a thing. He is not New Age at ALL. ]

[dun_moch]

[Dooku is totally with you on that one, Strange. The potential of chakras is insignificant compared to the power of the Dark Side. At any rate, the Count doesn't object as Strange helpfully clears away more useless books, and reaches out to pick up the last one.]

That is encouraging. I have been here for quite some time, and have yet to encounter any texts with genuine insight. Perhaps this one will be less disappointing.

[Interestingly, only about half of Dooku's books are about magic itself. Many others are about imPorts, whether the current generation or the original heroes from the 80s, drawn from the popular culture or American history sections. The Count has been attacking his problem from multiple angles.]

Cafe

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Oh damn, is Adachi tired. This is the first time he's been able to pull himself out of bed since the beginning of the week, and it's almost painful how behind he is on work. Doing research at a cafe seemed the best bet: he would be out of his room so he could hopefully not fall asleep again, and if he did pass out at a cafe, then at least he would be somewhere safe. ]

[ That didn't keep him from stumbling around, though, which is what he ended up doing as he passed by Dooku, nearly falling right on top of him. He peered down at the older man blearily for a moment, as if it was taking that long to process the fact that he was sitting there. ]

Oh... hey, Dooku-san.

[ There was a bit of, "What the heck are you doing here?" in his voice, though he didn't say as much. ]

[dun_moch]

Adachi.

[Dooku has to hold back a sigh. The boy is the one of the last people he wants to see right now. Now, when he has little way of holding his insolence in check with the threat of strangulation.]

I must say, you look rather worn-out. Have you been affected by this 'sleeping plague' as well?

[Best to keep the talk focused away from the Count's own state.]

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Oh god; Adachi tried not to, but he ended up letting out an exhausted yawn. ]

Ugh, did you really have to mention the 's' word?

[ Adachi couldn't take a hint that his presence wasn't wanted, and he ended up flopping at a station across from him. ]

I know I'm lazy, but this is too much even for me.

[dun_moch]

[Of course he isn't going to take the hint. Of course. No, that would be too easy if he did.]

I will take that as a 'yes.' At least this strange affliction has not taken any lives, as of yet.

a park

[h2no]

[dooku is probably deep in a session that feels close to revealing his problem when there's a bark nearby. that's not unusual, right? it's a park, after all. people bring their dogs here. the same bark sounds again, only closer. not doubt, dooku can sense the giant dog before it bounds over to him, tail wagging madly.

if he doesn't move, it'll lick his face.

what a rude dog.]

[dun_moch]

[If Dooku had the Dark Side with him, he would easily be able to sense the approach of this rude beast and avoid such indignity.

Dooku does not have the Dark Side with him. And now his face is sticky, warm, and wet. He cannot stop himself from crying out- it is repulsive.]

Get away from me! Vile beast.

[He stands up and backs away, wiping his face. Curses, but it is in his beard...]

[h2no]

[mightyena just plops its ass down on the grass in front of dooku, cocking that big ol' head and tail still thumpathumping on the grass.

seconds later:] Ah, shit, there you are! [archie appears and ruffles the large dog's fur, then notices dooku.] Well, if Mightyena didn't lead me to Doobie. How ya doin', bro?

[dun_moch]

[And then it got worse.

Dooku restrains a sigh as he turns to acknowledge Archie, pulling a handkerchief (silk, naturally) out of one of his cape pockets to better cleanse his face.]

Archie. Is this your pet? It is rather poorly behaved.

Park!

[bindsthedead]

[Sabriel's in the park to practice- it feels better to practice Charter magic in the open air, and there's somewhat less concern about breaking nearby technology. She's not using any destructive magic- she's simply weaving marks together, letting them shift between her hands like a glowing cats cradle before letting them shift back into the Charter.]

[dun_moch]

[Ordinarily, Dooku would have promptly sensed Sabriel's presence and power and reacted accordingly.

As things stand now, she has a good ten minutes to practice without being noticed while Dooku meditates nearby, silent and cross-legged, oblivious to anything except the negative feelings inside him. Only when the Count opens his eyes does he spot the mage, and rises from the grass to approach.]

Lady Sabriel. I hope I am not interrupting anything.

[Maybe she will know something useful.]

[bindsthedead]

No, you're not. [The Charter-spell slips away easily, the marks fading away seconds after her hands slip to her sides, offering a friendly smil.]

We haven't spoken in a while. How have you fared?

April 17th - Did you keep the receipt? (Closed to Mr. Gold)

[dun_moch]

[When Dooku returns to the Broom Shop on Sunday morning, it's in a considerably fouler mood than when he left it on Friday. He sweeps into the store like a sudden thundercloud cutting across a blue sky, his cape swishing behind him as he advances on the counter.]

Mister Gold. I need to talk to you about certain issues that have arisen regarding your merchandise.

[He produces the pendant and places it in front of Gold, immediately retracting his hand from it as though it were a serpent that might bite him.]

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ The shop isn't actually open on Sundays. Count Dooku just happens to be fortunate that it's unlocked because it's still how he accesses his residence upstairs, and he just happens to be working in the front room when he arrives. That same warm, soothing aura still permeates the place. Gold himself doesn't seem to be at all startled, not even really shifting his focus until he's finished the step he's on, setting his implements calmly aside before giving him his full attention. ]

Count Dooku.

[ He doesn't touch the pendant, himself, though he cuts his gaze down to it, tilting his head as though looking for some flaw in the stone. ]

Appears to retain its smooth cut. No chipping. So I suspect this has to do with function rather than form. But please.

[ He gestures to the work tables he uses for seminars, and the seats there. ]

Make yourself comfortable and tell me all about it. In my experience, tense matters are much better handled with the knees bent.

[dun_moch]

Thank you, but I prefer to stand.

[Gold's courtesy is appreciated, but Dooku is tense and is going to stay that way, aura or no aura. He paces to the table, and stands at its edge with his back straight and his hands clasped behind him.]

This talisman was supposed to make me more secure. And I admit its protective abilities are as formidable as expected. However, since I started wearing it, my natural abilities have declined. Rather rapidly, I might add.

The situation is intolerable. I must insist you rectify it at once.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ He doesn't insist further, instead allowing Dooku to present his case however he wishes. ]

Of course. Let's get to the bottom of this.

[ Gold at the very least looks surprised at mention that its abilities have impressed. ]

Have you been in very much danger, count? I deepest apologies; I hadn't heard.