18510/=The Barcza System

=The Barcza System
Date of Scene:	05 July 2024
Location:	Penthouse - Latverian Embassy
Synopsis:	Tessa and Doom discuss the warding of the Hellfire Club, changes on the Board, and other business.
Cast of Characters:	Victor Von Doom, Tessa

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Victor Von Doom has posed:
The Latverian embassy is a quiet place today. Almost too quiet. On occasion a phone can be heard ringing in some side office. The shuffling of papers can be heard by an employee manning the front desk. The security though is as thick as it ever is. In the confines of the embassy itself there are a number human security, but those same organic enforcement agents are backed by far more formidable and intimidating Servo-Guards. The planned arrival of one Tessa Fox has her being escorted to the private quarters of Doctor Victor Von Doom himself.

The large double doors open at their center and reveal within the mind-boggling size of the Latverian monarch's personal chambers. The bewildering dimensions of the place threaten to overwhelm senses of spatial awareness. The dimensions of the place seem somewhat too large for the corner of the embassy building that it occupies. What should be a sizeable, yet still fairly modest floor instead looks as though it could be on the verge of being described as palatial.

Doctor Doom is dressed in his standard - which is to say finest - suit of power armor and his green tunic and cloak look to be some luxurious and supple material. He turns slowly to face the doors as they swing inward and with his hands clasped to the small of his back, Doctor Doom's voice greets his guest in its customary rich, powerful accent, "Miss Fox," he begins with a mild degree of warm, "it is a pleasure to receive you as a guest of Doom once more. You bring some sort of news?"

The question is left to hang in the air and Doom's mask looks expectantly toward his arriving guest. An armored hand gestures aside, seemingly beckoning her deeper inward as he remarks, "Please, come in, and make yourself comfortable. Would you care for refreshments?"

Tessa has posed:
Tessa takes a few moments to openly observe the decor as she enters the penthouse of their Hellfire Magus. Her black and white heels click quietly across the floor as she moves over the polished black granite to join the monarch, and the tulle and satin combination of her long black skirt swirls around her legs as she moves. The white jacket and capelet that top the outfit are new, and represent her own changing position on the board. "How many times must I tell you that you may call me Tessa outside of board meetings, Doctor Doom?"

Her lips curve into a smile as she takes in the powerful figure that he cuts, even in such an overwhelmingly opulent space. "I will take refreshments if you are joining me for them, otherwise I see no need to put you out. I do bring some news, and I planned on getting any available updates on the warding from you as well, so as not to waste your valuable time."

Victor Von Doom has posed:
"Please, sit and make yourself at ease, Tessa," Doom seems to accept on the matter of more familiar forms of address, "and you may call me Doctor Doom. Or Doctor, if you so wish".

Then Doom turns away and begins to move across the open space of the living area. His back to Tessa, Doom begins to carefully place small chunks of ice into a pair of exquisitely crafted glasses. The conversation carries on however, despite Doom's apparent preoccupation, "The warding is underway with the necessary diagrams and runes assembled. All that awaits is Doom's weaving them into something of substance. There are a few kinks that require smoothing over, but they are but trifling matters that will not withstand the focused intent of Doom". The last chunk of ice is dropped into a glass and the pouring of liquid can be heard a moment later.

Doom turns back with a glass held carefully within each power armored hand. His titanium wrapped fingers display a surprising amount of grace and softness on account of neither glass shattering beneath their grip. A true testament to the technological prowess of Doctor Victor Von Doom. As he draws ever close, a hand extends to offer a glass of aged scotch to Doom's Hellfire Club associate as he speaks through the filter of his mask which grants his Latverian accent a tinny quality, "Let's speak of your news. No doubt it will be of great intrigue and curiosity."

Tessa has posed:
"I cannot promise you as much, though your words do flatter me. We have had movement on the board even since your own installation. Lady Croft is now the White Rook, and while she is a lovely woman, I must caution you about allowing her into this space." Tessa accepts the scotch with a murmur of thanks as she takes a seat, ankles crossed and knees together despite the modest fall of her skirt. "Her family are renowned for artifact hunting, as I am sure you are aware, and there are several here that even I recognize. The Genoshan Queen has also joined our ranks as my White Knight for now. She has a desire to ascend further, while I have a desire to not see the game completely destroyed, so a compromise was reached. She will learn while I get the pieces back into some semblance of play, and then I will return to the position I prefer to be in." Her hand gestures down the length of her attire. "Hence the transitional nature of my attire. That does mean that we will have an even closer working relationship than I envisioned, dear Doctor, but that is only one of the many benefits I look forward to."

Victor Von Doom has posed:
"While you make broker in apprehension, Miss Fox," Victor remarks with only the mildest of coldly spoken disdain, "Lady Croft inspires no such feelings of concern in Doctor Doom. The mention of the Queen of Genosha does however earn a solemn nod from Doom, while his hand continues to hold his glass of scotch without affording himself a sip. For now. "Her Highness is a formidable presence. We have held diplomatic discussions in the past and Doom found her insights quite telling". Though such seems to be a discussion for another time.

Doom then instead turns his attention from the room-at-large and toward Tessa, along with what she labels her transitional wardrobe. He nods once and with a tilt of his mask, he considers her attire prior to questioning aloud, "You will adopt a neutral position? Or you seek to transition into the White Court, likely to assume some sort of leadership mantle there to bring it back on course?"

The question is left open for Tessa's own elaboration.

Tessa has posed:
"I will be taking place as the White Queen until the Black Queen's choice for counterpart has learned the game. Rebuilding an entire wardrobe takes time and we have not announced my ascension to the Board as a whole yet, but my focus is ensuring that the game between the Courts brings the best our members have to offer to the forefront, rather than allowing any of them to rest on their laurels and bask in excess." Tessa's voice is firm. "There are larger battles than the ones the various Courts across Hellfire Clubs wage against one another. In a healthy Club, those battles hone the skills that are then presented to the outside world, and the biggest threats have a solid, unified front against them."

She takes a long sip of her drink, then places it carefully on a coaster. "Sentinels are an obvious symbol of a foe, but it is not enough to just destroy the robots or the factories building them. Like an invasive plant, you must get down to the roots, ripping and burning the entire lot out so that it may never take root again. Information. Money. Access." She looks tired for a moment, and sighs. "Networks - the Club's impressive business dealings, the access to others we get through our members - are one of the best ways to bring those things into the light, and yet I am all too aware that our membership leaves a certain... distaste in the mouths of some who should be allies. I plan to work on that, and stepping into prominence for a time became a very necessary step."

Victor Von Doom has posed:
"You are playing the game quite adeptly," Doom observes with a tone that is at once impressed and amused. He offers a slight nod and the cowl that covers his head shifts with the moment as he offers something bordering on praise, "which is to be expected, given your service with the Hellfire Club to this point."

Doom permits himself a sip from the glass of scotch. He does not toy with the drink within his path, but instead maintains his attention on Tessa and the conversation as it unfolds, "The only observation that is to be made is the one which is expected. Do not permit your service and fond regard for the Black King to create a weakness open to exploitation from that very same Black King. Doom would find this most disappointing". Judging by his words, it seems that Doom prefers that the Courts do what they are intended to do.

He softens the words with an acknowledgment however, "Face outward threats with the combined force, of course. Internally the game must remain afoot. Even if you do not take steps to make White beholden more than it already is to Black, there will be those who will gossip and rumormonger such a point. You will not escape it."

The glass is set aside and Doom's attention drifts away, toward the immense bay floor to ceiling windows. There his attention lingers for a moment, "The wards will be dealt with soon. There will be multiple layers to the wards, though there will be some zones where mind manipulation will be permitted. Beyond those zones, the will of Doom will exert its influence once more."

Tessa has posed:
Tessa tips her head in acknowledgement. Her position as Sebastian Shaw's ever-present, highly efficient assistant has always been a block that others stumble on, mistaking fondness and a drive to see him happy and successful as a blind obedience. Then again, so much of their relationship stayed firmly out of even the more private eyes of the Club that she was not surprised by the warning. "I am fully aware of the perception that my presence at the Black King's side holds. However," her lips curl upwards in a smile. "I am also very aware of the correct time and place to air any grievances or reservations I hold. I gave a very similar warning to my new White Knight - there will be those that see her closeness to the Black Queen and assume the same as they have and will about myself and the Black King. I believe both of us will rise above this gossip."

She follows his attention as it drifts, standing and moving towards the windows that hold his attention. The view is spectacular, even to her own privileged eyes. "I appreciate your efficiency, and your ability to do such skillful layering, Doctor. You have gone beyond my own lofty expectations, and I look forward to seeing the fruits of your efforts on our behalf. Once they are done, let me know and I will schedule a full meeting. Inner and Outer Circles, and perhaps some of our most promising pawns. A bit of ceremony to introduce our newest members, and a bit of business as well."

Victor Von Doom has posed:
"Yes, we shall see," the ruler of Latveria answers with a voice that seems borderline unconvinced on the subject of split loyalties.

When Tessa rises up and moves to admire the voice, Doom's attention gradually drifts toward the piano. There is a moment that he seems contemplative of it, but he does not advance toward it. Instead he remains invested within the bounds of the conversation as a simple nod of acceptance and understanding is given, "The final touches will not be time consuming for Doom. Arranging such an important meeting will take time, so I urge you to begin doing so now. It will also provide a suitable test for the wards."

Doom's attention drifts then toward Tessa and he seems to consider her back from afar before the doctor adds, "Efficiency is but one of the building blocks of greatness, particularly for matters of trifling security. The more grandiose designs of Doom will be put on display should someone attempt to foolishly test the boundaries which have been established by Doom."

Tessa has posed:
Tessa has no doubt that her White Knight will be doing housecleaning once she has ascended to the throne. Her own actions, then, are merely putting people into positions where they might shine and advance once the woman has started remaking the White Court as she envisions. It will be up to the woman to cultivate those connections or not as she sees fit - while Tessa does not currently see a reason to interfere more with her ascendance than she already has, neither does she think it wise to just hand her a Court she does not need to do work with. For all of the rumors that swirl around Sebastian, he does take his duties to the Black Court seriously, and carves time from his schedule to cultivate those pieces, regardless of whether they become full additions to the Court or just useful allies. Selene does much of the same, in her own manner, and Tessa has always been an open ear as Herald. She will do the same as White Queen, and she expects Lorna to pick up on her own behavior in that regard and start her own cultivations.

She turns from the window to regard their Magus. This has been an unsurprisingly useful cultivation, and for ultimately so little - a wealth of knowledge and expertise at her fingertips, guarding her fortress, and all for the low price of giving him a foot in the door and a voice at the table. A table that he would have been welcome at, had he ever given a hint of interest in more than the occasional visit. "Many of the Board members share their calendars with me for scheduling purposes. I do not need details, just times blocked out for when you are unavailable. It cuts down on the back and forth, and I find it more efficient for all of us."

Victor Von Doom has posed:
"Doom is always available," he answers succinctly and without any sense of irony. The Latverian monarch's gaze drifts toward the window for but a moment, then back to Tessa. He offers her only a slight nod of his head, confirming his own words before he adds, "Schedule your meetings as you find necessary. Doom will be there."