17851/DOOM: Discussing the American Dream

DOOM: Discussing the American Dream
Date of Scene:	14 May 2024
Location:	Latveria - Castle Doom
Synopsis:	Castle Doom hosts a dinner of parties interested in the retrieval of the National Museum of Immigration. The wrinkle in the ordeal comes in the form of its current whereabouts presently being in... Hell! Doom hatches a plan to send people to Hell and not permanently for a change.
Cast of Characters:	Victor Von Doom, Emma Frost, Corben Kelly, Clea, Zora Vukovic

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Victor Von Doom has posed:
From time to time Latveria and Castle Doom plays host to an assortment of colorful, intriguing, and diverse characters. Today is one of those days. The arrival of such an assortment of individuals had taken place throughout the day. Those incapable of traveling to the Eastern European nation of Latveria of their own ability were aided there by the kingdom of Doctor Victor Von Doom.

Security was tight as ever, with Servo-Guards and even organic personnel scrutinizing the new arrivals; though they did so respectfully of Doctor Doom's guests. It was then onward to Castle Doom itself where they were further scrutinized in every conceivable way, before being assigned guest quarters for the duration of what would surely be a brief stay. An opportunity to freshen up before dinner and then, finally, the dinner itself. Within Castle Doom it is wisest to assume that one is always being watched, overheard, or otherwise monitored in almost every regard.

Entering the DINING HALL of DOOM is like stepping into an older, simpler world. The interior walls of the castle appear to be hewn from stone, the immense fireplace crackles with heavy logs thrown upon the blazing fire, medieval armaments adorn the walls, and the lighting is kept intimately low for a Dinner with Doom. Among the medieval armaments resides a number of paintings; Doctor Doom astride a rearing stallion, the Latverian countryside, Doctor Doom and Victorious looking rather official in a frame, and above the fireplace resides a painting of Doctor Doom watching over the dinner table with the orange-red glow of firelight flickering across its surface.

Dinner is called to order and perhaps to the surprise of some it is Doom and Victorious who are already present with the arrival of their guests, escorted by Servo-Guards. Wearing the raiment that Doctor Doom is so often expected to be wearing; the only difference from the standard is that the titanium mask that he wears features a widened slot, revealing more of his mouth than normal. No doubt this is intended to permit him the opportunity to dine with his guests.

"Ah, my guests," Victor announces as the first those guests begins to arrive, "you are invited to join the table of Doom. When all have arrived and been seated, we will begin in earnest". Then Doom's mask turns toward Zora - Victorious - and a simple nod is given, likely providing some unspoken signal for his champion to likewise make herself comfortable for the dinner to come.

Emma Frost has posed:
It's her first time over in Latveria, and Emma Frost intends to make the most of it. See the sights, take in the tourist things.. And get an idea for as to how exactly the locals operate. See whether they are as truly in adulation as they're supposed to be, or whether it's in a field of fear and terror. The two can be quite different even if they end in the same result. And while Doom is powerful and magical, hopefully he can't cover the entire countr in something to block off telepathy.

But she does know that they'll only be seeing things face to face in what the Reigning Monarch wants them to see. So they'll be observed the entire way. So as she goes to join them over at the table, Emma goes to take a sip over of the local fine alcohol, enjoying the taste over while glancing at the others around the table. And having a few internal wagers over with herself and some that did not accompany her on the trip as to how things will turn out.

Namely how long the monologues will go on.

Corben Kelly has posed:
Corben managed to get here of his own accord, barely - portal potions just really aren't his thing. But the man has his pride, had to give it a shot and this time he hit the bullseye - even if his hair was standing on end with static electricity for about an hour on the other side.

He's not easily impressed, but Castle Doom did get a low whistle of appreciation likely not heard by anyone else. Big place, loads and loads of shiny, interesting stuff. For about twenty minutes after his arrival, Corben kept himself in check. 'No, don't touch, leave it alone' was the mantra playing over and over in his head. That is until a shiny bauble of a necklace in a small display case caught his attention. It took exactly .2 seconds for the voices in his head to shut up and another .2 before he managed snatch the little glass display box that had the shiny tucked inside and then slip that box into a pocket.

As for monologues, Corben brought a book. Would that be rude? He finds a seat at the table that, he hopes, will be the furthest from wherever Doom might settle himself. Then he changes his mind, moves from one end of the table into the middle. Best to be as far from both Doom and Zora as possible, assuming one might be on either end of the table.

Clea has posed:
Clea has been to Latveria before and even stayed in the castle more than a few times. There is a look around as the guests are escorted in and she gives a dip of her head to Victor and to Zora, "Thank you for your gracious hosting." she states before she is going quiet again and being shown to where she is sitting.

She smoothes the silk of her purple dress before taking a seat and waiting to see what Doom is going to explain about the rogue Doombot.

Zora Vukovic has posed:
Zora may surprise people tonight. None have ever seen her anything but full Victorious regalia with spear and face guard and long auburn braid. Covered from head to toe but for her face and hair.

Not tonight.

Tonight, Zora appears in the dining hall dressed to the nines for dinner. She's left her hair down in long, shiny auburn waves with just a few locks pulled from around her face to be stylishly woven aalong the teple and around the crown of her head to keep her face clear. She wears just a touch of subtle makeup, mostly around the eyes and lips in shades slightly darker than nude. Gowned in an off-the-shoulder silk evening dress in Latverian Green with a lightly corseted bodice and a slim skirt with a high slit along one leg. A golden girdle wraps around her waist, dotted with emeralds of varying sizes. A similar necklace is wrapped around her throat, and drop point earrings are dangling from her ears. A pair of heels finish off the outfit, matching the dress in color and simple in style.

Inclining her head as guests arrive, her proper posture is still very much in effect, though her features are somewhat softened from their usual severe set. While she doesn't smile, Zora is unfailingly polite to all present with dips of her head and murmured words of greeting. When Doom motions for everyone to sit, she takes her seat. Unsurprisingly, at the right side of Doom's seat.

Victor Von Doom has posed:
As each guests is seated, Doctor Doom remains standing. While he may wear the power armor that so often creates the distinct appearance of Doctor Doom; the cloak and cowl that he wears is of a heavier, patterned material. The formality is still there however and as the last of his guests seat themselves, Doctor Doom takes up a goblet which rests before him. He remains standing and the goblet is held aloft, "May we toast to the spirit of cooperation and your success". When his goblet lowers, Doom permits himself a brief sip from it. He relinquishes his hold on the goblet before he seats himself upon an ornate, high-backed chair at the head of the table. Victorious - Zora - to his right, Doom's mask shifts to his left and then down the center of the table, watching with a stern-eye stare cast along its length and to each face that sits alongside it.

It seems that Doom isn't about to waste his own time. Doctor Doom has a country to run and appearances must be maintained. He does not slouch within his seat, but does seem to visibly relax while an armored hand extends to collect his goblet while he speaks, "Each of you is aware that one of my Doombots was corrupted and reprogrammed," Doom remarks with a nod toward Zora, "as Victorious explained upon her retrieval of the wayward machine".

A sip of the goblet later and Doom carries on, his hard stare turning back to the length of the table and the few faces that sit along its length, "The unit was intended for experimental purposes pertaining to dimensional exploration and observation. Unfortunately its use was commandeered for a most nefarious purpose," the Latverian monarch remarks with a subtle growl infringing upon his voice, "and the unfortunate events of Ellis Island transpired. A theft was performed," Doom acknowledges the facts with a resolute, firm nod of his armored head, "but through my ingenuity I have reverse engineered the changes made to Doom's property. As a result we have the location of the United States' National Museum of Immigration". This fact is announced with gravitas and none too little smugness on the part of DOCTOR Victor Von DOOM.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma goes to casually gesture with her glass, but she doesn't drink to it or make the salute. She's a guest here, but she's still hardly in agreement over things. The businesswoman is far from helpless, but she's relatively sure here that everything is going to be recorded.. And it would be highly undignified if she was shown toasting to the surrendering of a landmark of her home, after all. She would fold her hands over together while glancing at Doom's herald.

She goes to fold her hands together hten and let Doom continue on with his narration before going to listen to Doom talk over. "Of course, such a thing to have one of one's own creations do something against it's programming." Was it Doom? Was it a Doombot? No one can ever tell.

Corben Kelly has posed:
He's pretty certain this isn't like going to the Otherworld, still Corben is a little reluctant to partake in food and drink. He can fake it though and he does so.

In his pocket, that book he brought - Peony in Potions - is already whispering to him from an inner coat pocket. He sits on the hand that would easily be able to reach it.

As for Corben? He is definitely not convinced that it wasn't Doom himself. Can Doombots even perform that sort of magic? Would one have been unable to unravel Corben's own so easily.

Yeah, this Doom Dude is a little sus.

He's smart enough not to voice that opinion outwardly. "Okay, so I guess we're here to figure out how to get it back?" There's an ever so slight 'move it along' prompt in the way Corben asks that question.

Clea has posed:
Clea's alabastrine complexion and hair make her look like a statue as she listens to Doom speak. There is no move to take up her wine goblet or anything of the sort.

She is here to observe and to listen to Victor talk on how they are going to get this museum back that one of his Doombots had stolen.

Zora Vukovic has posed:
Even if everyone else is wary or suspicious of the food and drink, Zora herself isn't. She lifts her goblet for the toast, drinking from it after with no concern for its contents. An excellent year, of course. Doom would never bother with anything less than stellar.

Glancing around the table, she lifts a brow at Corben's attempt to 'get to the point' but doesn't say a word. This is Doom's party, after all. She's as much a guest as anyone else. Not that the information presented seems to be news to her, of course.

Still, she notes the lack of enthusiasm and gives a mental sigh.

Victor Von Doom has posed:
Doom's mask shifts, turning from one face to another while he looks down the length of the table. The barbs however can not go ignored. Not within a king's very own castle. It is first Emma that receives the heavy stare of Doctor Doom and his response is quick as the Latverian monarch's accented English pronounces clearly and succinctly, "Doom's resources do not act against their programming. It was modified," he states with a voice like cold steel. The words that followed are without passion or fury, but layered liberally with implication, "You will do well to remember this, spendthrift. Do not forget where you are, Miss Frost."

Then it's toward Corben that Doom's attention goes. All of it. Every overwhelming ounce of the Latverian king's stare comes to rest solely upon Corben, "You should be basking in this moment and exuding patience, as my guest. You find yourself in the peak of your life's achievements being in the presence of DOCTOR DOOM. As my guest, you will be mindful of your manners. As I will be mindful of my duties as your host."

Doom does not allow for further attention to be diverted toward unnecessary frivolities or reminders. The goblet is placed before himself and Doom's mask shifts, again moving to regard those faces of his guests which look back toward himself before he explains, "After analyzing the shoddy workmanship of the worker who reprogrammed the robot from its intended purpose, it has become clear that he kept much of the unit's intended programming in place, while instilling within it a new directive," Doom explains at length and without any true regard for the boredom of his listeners. "The unit was intended to explore and observe other dimensions. Which means when it performed its jejune heist, it had very few options with which to send its target. DOOM has confirmed that the museum has been sent to Hell".

The revelation is made and the fact that a whole building was sent to Hell hardly seems to bother, perturb, or otherwise cause any manner of alarm out of Doctor Doom. Instead his attention turns to those gathered, then to Zora, and then to the gathering as a whole. "Victorious will accompany you," he says with a nod toward the gathering of his guests, "to Hell. Doom will provide the means to reach it and be extracted from it. Doom will also supply necessary tools to fortify your souls while you are within the realm. It is the assumption of Doom that each of you will readily volunteer for this most important journey, yes? Your bravery has already been showcased at my dinner table. A journey into Hell will be a simple walk in the park for a few so bold as yourselves."

Emma Frost has posed:
And Emma notes idly that means someone was able to break into Doom's programming and make it do such a petty thing purely to make the Reigning MOnarch of Latveria look bad. "But of course, thank you for the correction." Emma replies politely, even as she takes the statement over at face value over while folding her hands together. "Of course, we are privileged guests here after all, listening to your explanation for these series of unfortunate events. Thank you very much for taking the time to explain things to us. I do appreciate it." Emma's voice is entirely sincere in that.

She gets a free vacation out of it and then WHAT THE HELL.

She flat out stares over at Doom. Then she looks at her drink. And rapidly throws it down and chugs it. Because the man can be quite literal.

Corben Kelly has posed:
Most of the time, Corben seems like a bumbling idiot. The key words there are 'seems like'. But that's a mask he hides behind as sure as Doom hides behind his. He's actually sharp as a razorblade and, therefore, doesn't miss Zora's raised eyebrow. He responds to the gesture with both of his eyebrows shooting up and the corners of his mouth going down into an exaggerated frown - all along with a slight lift of his shoulders. If one expression and one shrug of the shoulders could speak volumes, his would be saying, 'Sorry but dude talks /a lot/.'

He reaches into his pocket, fingers trail over that book, he pulls his hand out once more sans book and breathes out a soft sigh.

It's just about then when a small voice pipes up from his other pocket in a whisper that's not really one, it's an /attempt/ at a whisper. "Corbs, if you're not going to eat that..." his little slug-bat buddy begins as it sticks its head out just far enough to show half of its one big red eye. .... "Shhhh, don't be rude and get back in there," Corben admonishes the little demon sprog in his pocket. At least he manages to actually whisper. With one finger, he attempts to gently push that visible bit of slug head back down.

There's something Corben can get on board with, the thought of a building going to Hell not really seeming to bother. He meets DOOM's stare head on, without a flinch - was that wink, surely not, he must have something in his eye?

When DOOM is finished speaking, he raises his hand to... volunteer? "When do we leave?" It's genuine interest this time, not a vague attempt at moving the conversation forward more quickly.

Trips to Hell? Well, Hell, maybe he'll get that pair of sunglasses back that he dropped the last time?

Clea has posed:
"If there is one thing that I can agree on, it is that the Doombots are not normally ones that go rogue unless they are tampered with. Or mine would be getting into more trouble." Clea admits to that. She is overly calm at the moment, trying not to get too many emotions in the mix.

She does finally pick up her glass and take a deep drink of it before placing it back on the table with care.

Once that is done she listens to what others are talking on. "Hell is not my first choice of places to go." she admits. "But if we can return the museum and smooth out the ruffle it has caused then I will go to help retrieve it." she states.

Zora Vukovic has posed:
Corben clearly hasn't actually heard a Doom rant, or he wouldn't be insisting that he's talking 'a lot' now. This is merely conversational level discourse for Doom. A true monologue is a sight to behold, inspiring equal parts dread and awe in those that are privy to one. She smirks slightly at his expression and gives a subtle shake of her head. Oh sweet summer child, you know not of which you speak. Or, express.

Still, with the plan revealed, Zora turns her attention back to Doom, rightfully, and inclines her head, "Of course, my liege. Hell itself will bend to your wishes." Because Zora is nothing if not an excellent minion. Wholly devoted and loyal to the bitter end.

Glancing back to the table, she nods and murmurs, "The perpetrator of the tampering is already in custody and being held for trial. Given that we have unequivable proof of his tampering, you can be assured that he will not be an issue moving forward." There's a slightly ominous tone to that pronouncement, but she follows it up with a sip of wine, as if this is merely another Tuesday.

Victor Von Doom has posed:
What may account for something of an apology will certainly go unnoticed or without regard from Doctor Doom. Instead he seems to remain fixed upon the goal that ultimately resides ahead of the gathered few. The question of departure though does earn a slight shift of Doom's head, barely more than a light nod in acknowledgment of the question. He answers it nevertheless while Doom's gaze seems to linger upon the small slug-like creature for only a brief moment. No doubt there is an analysis already underway from some sensor surreptitiously tucked away within the Dining Hall of DOOM, "Doom had considered an impromptu journey during this dinner. Whisking each of you away to your destination."

He pauses for only a moment, but that moment permits his dark eyes shifting from behind his mask to consider the presence of Clea, Corben, and Emma each before he concludes, "Hastiness is a recipe for disaster. Doom does not broker in chance or good fortune; therefore we will not leave your success to chance. Preparations will be made. Then your expedition will be carried out. I will remain within our realm to act as a tether for your safe return and to ensure the stolen landmark is ushered, whole and undamaged, back to its rightful place."

Zora's explanation regarding the wayward programmer does not go acknowledged. There is nothing more that Doom need add.

Corben Kelly has posed:
"All right then, I guess you know where to find me once all the bags are packed," Corben offers as he rises from the table.

Kibs makes a more full on appearance, entire head poking out of the pocket. "Corbs... if you're not going to eat that..." ... "Anyone mind if I take a go bag?" he asks. "No, okay then." He picks up his plate, holds it close to the little demon sprog and everything's gone in just one big gulp, including the plate itself.

He snap points at DOOM and says, "Later, thanks for dinner..." And a show, but he leaves that bit out. Then he offers that same exaggerated frown, raise of both eyebrows and that little shrug for Zora once more.