16093/Coffee With Doom.

Coffee With Doom.
Date of Scene:	17 October 2023
Location:	Coffee of DOOM
Synopsis:	Doom visits the coffee shop he established to see how it is faring. He has a conversation with three vastly different customers.
Cast of Characters:	Victor Von Doom, Emma Frost, Phoebe Beacon, Ororo Munroe

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Victor Von Doom has posed:
Doom had only recently returned from Latveria and when he came back, it was with a chestful of new books for the library in the coffee shop. Everyone deserves to research, to learn and to explore on their own.

The Doctor pulls the cloak around him as he makes his way through the cafe. "I expect to see the last month's reports on my desk in the morning. I am conducting a spot check to ensure company integrity." Thus is the way when Doom is in charge.

A cup of coffee is brought to him on a tray and he takes a sip from it, pinkie and thumb balancing the cup perfectly. Sssssip.

Emma Frost has posed:
It's always 'interesting' when the reigning monarch of Latveria is in town. Besides, the coffee shop makes for such -interesting- ambiance. So, upon being informed the correct flags were up at the embassy for the national leader being present, Emma had simply gone in to see what was up. So, entering into the coffee shop she sees there the reigning monarch present.

Emma watches with a 'well look at that' expression on her face while going to slide in to a seat, fascinated.

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Phoebe Beacon really did enjoy Doom coffee, and she tended to make a stop in Doom while she was in Manhattan on Wayne business.

    Today her hair was wrapped in a demure gray hairwrap with some intricate twisting to make it look professional, with small gold hoop earrings in and a small loop in her nose, a rose-gold shirt beneath a tawny jacket and designer jeans that probably cost more than what one of the Barristas makes in tips on a normal day. The young Wayne, here on charity related business in the city, and she was halfway through politely requesting cinnamon and oat milk in her latte when she realized Victor Von Doom was in residence today.

    She also catches sight of Emma as she sits down, and she purses her lips.

    "... I don't suppose I can get that to go?"

Victor Von Doom has posed:
As he hears the arrival of others, Doom flourishes his cape. He turns his attention first to Emma as she arrives. "I remember you." he comments. "Your assistance to Doom in training the baristas to function at their jobs at capacity was helpful and exceptional." As close to a 'thank you' as one if going to get from the Latverian monarch.

Then when Phoebe makes her presence known, there is an arch of his brow beneath his mask and his attention turns to the young Wayne completely. "Is the ambiance not to your satisfaction? Doom suggests that you remain, the coffee is enjoyed in the proper environment -- not the chaos that swirls outside of these doors."

"If there is an issue, I will do my best to address it. Though is this an issue between another guest to this establishment? I can offer to negotiate a peaceful resolution to such issues."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would go tense at being spoken to by Doom, "Ah, of course, thank you, Great Sir." How did one properly address a monarch? That was always something that etiquette classes didn't quite cover when it came to casual settings. Oh, formal state meetings were one thing..
    "And yes, it's a rather unique location and has a wonderful ambience." Emma was relaxed and not at all paranoid. It was more she was in a room..
    With Doom.

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    In a room, with Doom, in the gloom, among the books and journals and intellectual debate that you just can't get in a Starbucks.

    "... actually --" Phoebe pauses, and tilts her head back a little bit.

    "I come here for the ambience. DO you know how rare it is to find actual deep thought, discussion of physics, of science, of deep thought in a /Starbucks/?" she asks with a small shrug of her shoulders. "The coffee here is worlds better than almost anything I've had -- and I used to be a barrista -- and you actually have a fantastic selection of vegetarian flare without being snobs about it. And as for the ambiance?" she motions with a hand towards the ceiling "I live in a Gothic Revival mansion in Gotham City. The only thing you're missing from this making it feel like home is a couple of gargoyles and a Bat Signal."

Victor Von Doom has posed:
"You may call me Doom." This to Emma. "You have assisted me in the past, and if I can assist your endeavors with your projects in return, I would be grateful to offer my assistance. I am not a malevolent man, nor am I one not to realize the offer of a favor given to be repaid."

Then Phoebe speaks up, and Doom moves to take a seat. At a table directly between the two women. "The ambiance, as you put it, is exactly as you would find should you visit a coffee shop in Latveria, especially in the captial of Doomstadt. As you are a Wayne, perhaps you can find the time to educate yourself with a trip to my homeland. Doom believes you would find the experience enligtening." he explains.

A sip from his coffee. "I believe that it is best that all that seek coffee within these walls shall be granted with the best possible options and experience. Feel free to look through the books. Study a text. Many are from home, that are not scientific journals or periodicals from around the world."

Emma Frost has posed:
Well this is intimidating, terrifying, and generally rather fascinating. Emma Frsot gives a polite smile. "Thank you very much for your generosity, it is much appreciated." Well, she's managing to be polite over at it. "And Gotham does need some more varied architecture. I'll admit it was well before my time, but when the city was significantly rebuilt it's a shame they couldn't vary it up more." No Man's Land was a mess. A brutal one.
    "And your.. Benevolence and perspective is much appreciated."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "It would be an interesting trip; I certainly wouldn't mind taking in the culture of a storied country if you could reccomend some points of interest and a tourguide." Phoebe gives a pleasant smile, taking up her coffee and a pastry with a nod and a hefty tip to the tip jar in the form of a couple friendly Benjamin Franklins, and she makes her way over to Doom and Emma.

    "Ms. Frost." she greets Emma with a small smile, acknowledging their lack of familiarity.

    "Much of Gotham's remaining original archetecture is original. The city was purposefully built to 'scare the good into the soul of man' by Bruce Wayne's ancestors. City of Crime: A Gotham History is a very interesting read, covering everything from the Dutch foundation to the current city with all of it's... colorful inhabitants." she gives a pause a moment, and then, quietly: "Please forgive me if I seem brusque; I haven't had instruction on how to greet royalty, your grace."

Victor Von Doom has posed:
"Come to the Embassy. I can offer you travel brochures and suggestions as well as a letter of travel to visit the National Museum." Doom offers to Phoebe first. His leg folds over one, and he takes over an almost regal air. "As I said to Miss Frost, the name Doom fits as a manner of address and a name." he comments as he explains the meaning of name and title.

"Have you two not made an acquaintance yet?" The monarch hums gently, tapping his fingers on the fine mahogany of the table. "And you, Miss Frost, have you ever made the journey to the land of Doom's creation?"

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would fold her hands togehter and nod her head over in deference to Phoebe. "Gotham City has a truly bedeviling set of misfortunes heaped upon it that nowhere deserves and throughno fault o fit's own. A travesty alas that no one has figured out the Gordian Knot of how to fix it and alleviate the suffering. it all seems to feed off one another. And yet the city perseveres. Admirable above all else if only for the citizens continuing to keep on going."

"And we've met in passing." She's run into Phoebe a few times, but nothing more involved than one of those random societal meetups.

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "Gotham City's misfortune has always been at the greed of others first and foremost. What Gotham City needs more than anything else is empathy. It's oen of the reasons the T&MWF -- that's the Thomas and Martha Wayne Foundation -- operates with a high budget to help citizens and denizens of the city who are suffering. I'm happy that Bruce has allowed me to take a small bit of direction in that. I like working to help people." Phoebe states as she allows herself to sit. "And yes, we've met in passing at galas, though I'v enever had so much as the chance to be face-to-face." Phoebe replies to Doom, and she steeples her fingers.

    "Gotham's sons and daughters are some of the most resilliant people I've ever known. No Man's Land was my childhood." she explains, "I'm lucky to count myself among them."

Victor Von Doom has posed:
"Doom was born in a Romani camp. I can understand what it means to rise above the station that you are presented with as the sins of your birth." comes the explanation as he takes a sip of his coffee and sets down the mug. A barista is already on her way to refresh the cup he has.

"I have looked for reason to visit Gotham." Doom explains with a nod to Emma. "I am told that it's architecture would be of interest. And I am also told that those with wealth that flaunt it so openly, while those that do not suffer in the dredges." A frown touches his features.

"If those that caravoted in the night instead but their interests towards change and social redevolpment, perhaps Gotham could flourish as Doomstadt and all of Latveria does now."

And it's true, yes, Doom is an autocrat. He rules Latveria with an iron fist. But social welfare is a high priority. Employement and literacy rates hover around ninety percent. The standard of living is as high as France or Great Britian. Even state mandated child day care.

Dictorial utopia.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would fold her fingers together, "And that is something that's rather difficult to provide." Emma herself was hardly the patron saint of empathy after all, was she? Not by her reputation as a cutthroat executive, not by what she did in public and acted.. She was very, very much not the person to bring it up to. "YOu can't fix society always by donations, unfortunately. You have a hard time changing people at their core. Inside and outside. I don't presume to speak for anyone on the matter, so please don't take my commentary with any level of accuracy." Feeling more centered now that it was on a subject that was familiar to her. If only for her own lack of it.

And Doom visit Gotham? That.. Would be very, very hilarious when the local supervillains would try to do something. "I'm sure that the local community would appreciate it very strongly." 'Community' being the local superheroes that would probably have an aneurism.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
The Coffee of DOOM is not Ororo's normal place to go when she's visiting New York. But, it's hard to get that specific coffee anywhere else in the city, and one does occasionally get an itch for it. So she walks in the door, dressed in a casual yet elegant suit with a black coat, with white shirt and slacks. Her hair is bound up in a ponytail today, keeping it from flowing everywhere at once.

When she spots Emma, she flashes the other woman a smile, then glances curiously over at Doom, blinking a little bit as if a bit surprised. Though she quickly files the reaction away, making her way over towards Emma and saying, "Hello there. I see I wasn't the only one wanting Latverian coffee?" She sounds a little amused.

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "That's... not something that's often shared about your life, to the best of my knowledge. Then again..." Phoene gives a small frown of her own "... there are an awful lot of people who think Batman is a vampire who lives on the moon." she states, and exhales quietly.

    "And you're right, the rich flaunt it. Not the Waynes, not all the time, I mean -- I'm the adopted child of a fireman, the only reason I'm a Wayne is because Bruce Wayne felt sorry for me. I've seen what can be done when donations are utilized smartly, with accountability and purpose behind them. The issue has always been lack of direction -- and people lining their own pockets." Phoebe points out, "That's why you have to start with impressing upon the upper class that they have a responsibility to protect those who work for them or under them. You cannot have the the reliefs on buildings without having the pillars and the foundations. The rich and elite think they live in a vaccuum, and let me tell you whenever it hits their worldview that they don't, they just figure they're more or less right and everyone else is wrong." Phoebe points out to Emma with purpose, the young black member of the Wayne family quite firm and even a little bit impassioned, "but half the time when someone tries to shift the paradigm they're just labeled as Socialist Lunatics or *worse*, theme villains and sent to Arkham."

    And as Ororo pulls up, Phoebe gives a small wave, and a slight eye narrow... have we met?

Victor Von Doom has posed:
"No, donations, gifts, those only empower those that refuse to grab their destinies and rise up." Doom replies smoothly. "Gifts without guidance leads to slot. Doom believes that if I am to offer you a place, Doom would expect your gratitude to not be in word but in deed. Those that are lifted are found a place to fit in society. To work. To become part of the country that has generously sheltered them."

"It is as Doom says it should be."

Visiting Gotham has it's merits. He does not fear the local rodent population, nor the caricatures of villains that reside inside. And if he could set the toehold of DOOM within Gotham. "Perhaps an outreach center." Doom muses. "A gift to Gotham, to allow those that are forced to live within the darkness and gloom to enjoy the brief glimpse and generosity of Doom and what Latveria may offer."

The arrival of Ororo gives Doom pause, and he rises to his feet politely in recognition of the wind rider. "Miss Munroe. If you would care to join our conversation, Doom will provide you the coffee you desire." In other words, he's footing the tab for this little insight into those that wish to share it.

As Phoebe starts to speak, a small smile touches his face. "There is much that people assume of Doom. They do not ask me if it is correct. I do not attempt to correct them. I only share what Doom wishes to share.

"Doom doubts that Bruce Wayne took pity upon you." There's a small tsk inside the metal armor, a spread of his hands. "Wayne is much like myself. He offers opprotunity to those that will work for it in return. He gifts, he shares, but in his charity, there is the need to force those that accept to become something more. It is why the rich scions in Gotham are fearful of him. He does not press his well polished shoe upon the neck of those without. He gives them purpose. If it were just Wayne, perhaps Gotham could be better. But alas. His lack to take hold. Not Bruce Waybe. But Batman. His unwillingness to crush those that rebel against society. To crush, depose, remove those that would bring harm and destruction to the peace of his city. If he were to put his hand in an iron fist rather than a velvet glove..."

"Gotham would rival Metropolis."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost is hardly the one to make comments here, given she's old moneyed (by American standards) that's faimly came over sometime in the early seventeen hundreds if one believed their marketing. So seh was hardly one to be able to judge. "And the upper class hall never be impressed by anything. One has to make it clear that they gain something of direct benefit to them. It has to go beyond fear as fear is an eternally temporary thing. One has to convice them that long term it is in their best interests to do such a thing or it will never last." She would listen over to Phoebe's commentary over while looking rather honest. The world is to the very rich white woman very, very straightforward.
    Namely extremely cynical.
    SHe turns over to Storm, "Ms. Munroe." She would speak over to the teacher and her teammate coming towards the group with a quick nod at her and then a sip of her coffee. And then Doom is.. Monologuing. She can only look up over and be somewhat impressed. And also petrified. But sitll impressed.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Ororo smiles pleasantly at Doom, "Why, Doctor, I would be delighted. But you may call me Ororo, if you prefer." She glances over at Emma, giving her a return nod and a bit wider of a smile, "And Miss Frost, a delight to see you again. It sounds like the conversation is about Gotham, which... admittedly, I'm not terribly familiar with."

She then glances over towards Phoebe, tilting her head slightly to take her measure, "I'm Ororo Munroe, and it's a pleasure to meet you." She smiles again, seeming to genuinely mean it as she joins the group at the table.

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "It's very difficult to rise up when the systems of a city, or even a country are built up against you. To use an example from Sir Terry Pratchett -- A man who could afford fifty dollars had a pair of boots that'd still be keeping his feet dry in ten years' time, while a poor man who could only afford cheap boots would have spent a hundred dollars on boots in the same time and would still have wet feet!"

    And Phoebe, herself, *HATES* having wet feet.

    "So what's the solution? Provide everyone standard boots, or make sure that everyone has access to quality, affordable boots? IT's a conuncrum that in the States is going to probably be continued long after any of us at this table are gone." she explains, and then he mentions the Waynes. Phoebe's ears darken a little bit.

    "Bruce Wayne -- all of us who use the last name -- often do a lot of work behind the scenes. Phone calls, pressing the issue, research, medical charity work--" that actually consists of Tim and Phoebe popping snacks and seeing who can fund the most Medical GoFundMes in fifteen minutes "-- like Doom, some things we share, and some things we do not." she gives a bright smile after that. DARING to grin at Doom, and unafraid of him on these friendly terms.

    "Also it was totally a pity move, I've discussed it with my psychologist even." she explains, half as a joke.

    And to Storm: "Good evening, a pleasure to meet you Ms. Munroe, I'm Phoebe Wayne." Phoebe introduces herself, "Which is why the conversation turned Gotham-bound."

Victor Von Doom has posed:
"You may call me Doom, if you wish for I to call you Ororo." This offered pleasantly to the teacher as he the doctor lifts his hand and gestures to the barista. She hustles over to get Ororo's order before heading to the bar to have it made. "Your company is lovely to have, of course."

His attention returns to Emma, and his hands settle on his knee as Ororo is delivered her drink order. "Your observation is not quite correct. All that the upper class, as you put it, is impressed by are those that are in the one percent that they believe better than them. Those that were born upon a pile of riches. Those that were gifted their lot in life. Those that have never had to understand the stuggle. The grind. To rise from within. To reach, to grasp your dreams and make it your reality."

"Those in the dredges. That claim the title of Supervillain and blame society for why they are as they are. They are not the victims they make themselves out to be. They do not need guidance. They need the rod, not the carrot." Doom snorts at that. Because clearly he is NOT that type of Supervillain.

Then to Phoebe. "There. That. It is the very argument of socialism and captialism. If everyone was given the money for the boots, would they buy the boots or would they buy a month's worth of grocery's for their family? The problem with this country is that a noble effort has rotted and become corrupt. Your government fleeces it's constituents. Your rich refuse to pay a living wage. In Latveria, teachers are paid more than politicans, for teachers are more important. Those that open shops are given assistance to start and then expected to make their own. The 'hand out' that is so popular here only breeds greed, sloth, and corruption."

A sip from his coffee.

"This country is run on the goFundmes of those that cannot afford helping those that cannot pay, while those that could help most would rather watch the poor eat each other in entertainment." A pause and he looks at something on his gauntlet, studying the information that comes up. "When you pay for a person's procedure, Miss Wayne, do you realize that you are not helping the patient, you are lining a businessowner's cofers? Perhaps even Wayne Pharmaceutical - thus you are paying your adopted father back the same money that he has gifted to you."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would muse over, "For those that have come from money, they've never known struggle. The concept of being without is alien. For those that have to struggle for it, they will do anything to keep it and will see things as cutthroat. The haves, and the have nots. Those that have done things to obtain it and cannot visualize things without it, and those that have always known it and cannot see outside of thier own world view." Emma is very much the first, after all. Old Money to the core. But, she's being very direct here over on how she sees things and her perspective. So there is life experience at play.
    ANd then Doom and Phoebe go over to talk about capitalism, charity, prosperity, economy, responsibilityof government and society.. And all those extremely complicated things which effect so many people all over the world at so many different levels. She goes to listen to Doom over while cocking her head.
    "And yet that is the way the system is. One can work within or outside the box of it. But one has to understand the reality of it and take that into account with what will work and what not will." And to be honest. Emma's jaded to the core.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Ororo smiles, "Well, thank you Doom, and certainly, you may call me Ororo. This is far from a classroom after all." She nods towards Doom and takes a seat across from him, next to Emma as she glances over towards her.

"As a former pickpocket from Cairo..." She chuckles dryly, "There's definitely those that have, and those that have not. It would be nice if things were balanced more, but it seems that there's always going to be some sort of stratification." A pause, as Doom talks about Latveria, and then Emma responds.

"It does seem to me, that there are no easy solutions, as the people that would implement those solutions benefit from the situation as it currently stands." She hmms, and glances over towards Phoebe, "But what do you think? You certainly have a more proximate view than the three of us."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "I understand that I'm participating in the system until I can garner enough influence to break it." Phoebe replies to Doom. "A nineteen-year-old girl who's a sophomore biology major aiming for that sweet premed can only do so much."

    And there's so much she does that her heart aches, and for a moment she looks so very tired.

    "I can only do so much." she repeats, but she brightens, looking to Ororo. "Were you born in Cairo? I was born on the Egypt-Sudan boarder. Practically neighbors." she gives a bright grin. The girl has no accent, however, and probably grew up in Gotham City. She has that mixed American accent going on. With just a touch of British.

    "There's never going to be an easy solution. Just look at the microcosm of New York City -- they put Mutants in ghettos following resettlement ideals. There's still the stereotype of the Middle Eastern Quick-Mart owner versus the Latino Bodega owner. There's active segregation *still* in redlining districts where the poor pay less tax and get worse education, but have to pay the Ghetto Tax because their options for everything from what clothing shops they can access to how far they have to travel for groceries. There has to be a way to appreciate the melange of cultures without esposing bad blood, racism, or social castes. A way to serve each other as good neighbors, but also retain individual rights. I don't think there will ever be a time that we as a species get it right -- not in my lifetime -- but if I can manage to break some of the barriers, if I can plant the seeds of trees whose shade I'll never sit in -- maybe I can pass from this world satisfied, you know?"

    Phoebe then looks around at who she's sitting with. And then she purses her lips, rubs the back of her head, and breaks some of her pastry off.

    "... but um... what do I know, I'm nineteen."

Victor Von Doom has posed:
Emma's experience is valued in this, in Doom's opinion. "Yet, do you know of a time in your life when you may have struggled?" he asks of Emma. "As beautiful and gifted as you are in both body and mind, did you not actually have to hone your acumen to get where you are not?" he asks of her, a gentle prompting. "If you find yourself in the box and you see no way up or out, then you are not in a box, you are in a cell." he suggests to her.

"Ororo, we are similar. As I said earlier, Doom was born in a Romani encampment. Balance cannot be gifted. Balance must be earned." he explains to her. "There is only stratification as those that want bury those that will not. There is no easy solution." His hands gesture around him, "Here."

"In Latveria, Doom is law. Doom is word. There are those that speak out against my word. My law. Even now, there are those that come to my embassy with their picket signs. Their protests. But why? Latveria is at peace. There is very little crime in Latveria. Doom sees no man that has been awashed in acid in his city, causing trouble. Doom looks here and sees only those, like the Richards family, that create, invent and gain, but offer little in return while claiming glory and accolades for themselves. Doom is cherished in Latveria, because I provide for all of Latveria."

Again, attention to Phoebe as her drink is refilled. "The mutant situation in this country is deplorable. In Latveria, Doom has provided for the mutants. They have equal living conditions. Opprotunity. They are able to provide and thrive. They are taught, schooled, trained, and given a place in society." And that is all he has to say on that.

"You are young, there is much for you to learn. I am an older ruler. I have been told that for the legacy of Doom, I should seek one to rule beside me. Perhaps I shall. Perhaps I will make sure there is never a reason I should consider to abdicate my throne."

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would muse over and go to fold her hands together, demurring, "MOst things in life I've been given and built upon. A structure that needs to be constnatly improved. One never can be in stasis. One must always be rebuilding, responding to events. Learning. Adapting. That is what capitalism is. That constant drive to have to imrpove yourself. Because that which does not adapt, that does not change, fails and is consumed." Emma threads the needle very carefully when it comes to both her persona na dher life experience. She's not daddy's girl - but she also has to keep up her own role.
    "One plays the game or one builds the game to themselves. I understand the way that things operate, and I work wtihin it. It's suited things quite well so far. I'm moderately rich and successful." At least until one gets up to the realm of those like Richards, Wayne, Stark, Queen.. Of which far, far outpace her.
    "And no solutions are easy. Solutions are for individuals and groups. One cannot make wholesale changes to society and culture. That takes generations and a willingness to push things through on a widspread scale and maintain pressure." As Doom goes on about the mutant situation in Latveria, Emma pays slightly more attention than her role as simply a highly jaded near psychopathic level businesswoman should.
    Phoebe's commentary also makes her wince, bu tin agreement. "That's the way it always has been for humanity. Take those whihc are different, put them in an isolatedp lace. On good times, the culture there thrives with things which are familiar to itself. On bad times, it maeks it easy to target, isolated, and attack. Most times are bad. And yet those places also let culture thrive and exist. In many places the home culture would not be there for immigrants without these places, these familiar things."

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Ororo perks up at Phoebe, "Well, actually I'm from Kenya, but I wound up on the streets in Cairo after I was orphaned. And I was an excellent street thief, before leaving that life, well, mostly behind. I still remember where I came from, however." She smiles over at Doom, "It is always good to hear that there's one place where mutants aren't persecuted for being what they are. Sadly that's more freedom than a lot of mutants have in most other countries." She takes a bit of a sigh, then sips her coffee when it arrives.

Her eyes flicker over towards Emma, noticing her interest in Doom's description of mutant life in Latveria, and she gives her a bit of a quiet smile, one brow arching in her direction.

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "That's good. You should always remember wehre you came from, and the experiences it tought you. I might have Wayne on my information, but before that I grew up in the brownstones and projects. And I don't forget the people who helped me with the intent of getting me out of bad situations." And sometimes into worse.

    And she gives a small smile, looking around the group. "This is actually very refreshing to have my opinions considered -- a lot of Old Gotham doesn't do that, last time I had such a conversation, why, it was with Mr. Sebastian Shaw at a charity event we both found ourselves at."

    She gives a bright smile and that, her head tilting as she considers.

    "I do have concern though, Doom -- are *all* people taught, schooled, trained, and given a place in society, or is that only mutants? Because I've found that trying to define someone by their abilities is a very slippery slope." she states with curiosity.

    "And happily, the government voted down the Cure law. Thank goodness. I can't even imagine how frightening it must be to be anyone young and superpowered, let alone someone who has been divided off in such a way because of their genes. Might as well divide us by skin color."

    Yes. That is a dig at the US and MANY policies and she is making it ironically.

Victor Von Doom has posed:
"There are those that have issues with Doom." the autocrat admits. "Those that believe I am wrong. That I should be toppled and democracy should be allowed." He looks around the shop and then waves a hand over to one of the baristas. He gives her a few instructions and she returns with a newspaper. "But when I look within these pages, all I see is what democracy allows through it's doors."

Then to Phoebe. "Those without mutations are not forgotten. All are trained, educated and schooled properly in the same way, Miss Wayne." he explains.

"The Cure." He nearly spits, but the tone in Doom's voice is obvious. "No doubt Richards will find some way to perfect it and lock it away for when he finds it convienent to use. Segeration does not exist under the hand of Doom."

Flatly said, another drink of coffee. A nod of his head to Ororo. "Perhaps I will be allowed to show you the difference sometime, Ororo." That offered to her as he finishes off his coffee and passes the newspaper back to be put away, it's use as a prop done.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma is many things, bluntly honest and direct being among those primary attributes. At Ororo's statements, Emma gives her a quick,a ssessing glance. SHe knows ever so little about Doom beyon dreputation - and while reputations are many things, they are not always truthful. A low nod is given to the glance Ororo gives her that's very quick. Very hard to pick up on unless one knows the way to watch their body language. Childhood pickpocket and old money CEO and Executrix.
    As Phoebe goes to speak over of Shaw, Emma's lips would twitch over to a guffaw that's rapidly repressed as she keeps her expression neutral. Yes, eh was one of the ones that she went at logghereads with often. Even if they were occasionally allies of convenience."
    The mention of Richards and the strenghtening of Doom's tone does however fit more with that reputation. Emma goes to turn to watch with some interest.

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Ororo smiles a little at Doom's invitation, "Well, you /are/ the ruler of Latveria, Doom. If you invited me to see how mutants are treated in your country, who would I be to say no?" She doesn't comment on the Cure, but the way her gaze hardens makes any verbal comment superfluous.

She's also kind enough to not bring up RICHARDS, and instead glances over at Phoebe, "And we are, if nothing else, the sum of our experiences. That's what makes us who we are, be it orphan or teacher or the leader of a nation." She takes another sip of the coffee, releasing a contented sigh.

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "Honestly The Cure is best left as a Goth Band and that's that." Phoebe agrees with the grown-ups in the room, and she drinks her coffee, dark eyes looking arouond to everyone else, and she wrinkles her nose a little at RICHARDS.

    "Democracy has to be tempered with empathy and generosity. Without that it's just liable to be sold to the highest bidder." she agrees quietly, "But I don't think anyone could rule say... the United States with an iron fist. We're pretty scrappy and very much not interested in being ruled with any sort of fist. Usually." she offers in gentle consideration.

    "I wouldn't mind a trip to Latveria though, if it meant learning more about your people and getting to know you as a person. I kinda did my sixth grade report on you but it really fales in comparrison to having coffee with the real thing."

    Phoebe looks down at her coffe... yeah, this is actually the weirdest thing in the last few weeks.

Victor Von Doom has posed:
"I will have to find time to make myself availed." Doom responds as he finishes off his other cup of coffee. He is about to say more when his gauntlet chimes pleasantly at him and he looks at the message upon it. "Doom has enjoyed the quality of the company as well as the beauty and charm. However, I am required. Latveria does not run itself, after all." He moves to rise to his feet and inclines his head to the three.

"Stay and enjoy the coffee. And I bid you all a good eve." With that, he moves to give his baristas some instructions before heading out of the shop to tend to the business he is called away for.