9556/Of Kings and Kingdoms

Of Kings and Kingdoms
Date of Scene:	12 October 2019
Location:	Doomstadt, Latveria (TBD)
Synopsis:	The start of an alliance between Latveria and Genosha...
Cast of Characters:	Doctor Doom, Polaris

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Doctor Doom has posed:
Doomstadt, Latveria. The seat of Latverian power and the personal home of Victor von Doom, AKA Doctor Doom. He sits on his throne in Castle Doom, which lies atop of Mount Victorum. Dressed in his black armor, the greenish-blue hue of Latverian repulsor technology glowing from his chest, eyeslits, and palms of the suit. Covering his suit almost entirely minus those mentioned before is a dark green hooded cloak that gives a measure of ominosity to the personality.

It is there that he waits.

Why wait? Shouldn't he be trying to squash the Fantastic Four or push forward with some crazy scheme to annihilate his opposition and rule the world? No. That would be a petty victory to act within the confines of peace -- and Doom is never petty.

Instead, he's waiting for a guest. One who reached out to him from the other side of the world.

Polaris has posed:
Lorna was a known public figure. People //knew// who she was and who her family was. She'd become a symbol of Genosha's mutant population and as a hero in her ties to the X-men when they made any such public appearances or were helping out as it were. She was viewed as more moderate than her father, more caring, and more stable than either of her siblings. While Wanda and Pietro remained part of the Avengers, Lorna had been named the heir apparent to Magneto's Kingdom.

For the past year the Princess had slowly been working her way through the back channels and communications through the halls of power. She'd been ignored largely by the human governments, and been flat out threatened by Aquaman. (Though his threats had been more in the way of pushing her onto the throne all the sooner.) It was clear what the mutant Princess was trying to do. Make allies.

Genosha had none. They were embargoed by most countries out there and only had a few business contracts for trade with companies willing to work outside the usual channels and protocols.

So she knew what she was doing when she'd asked for this meeting, knew the kind of person Doom was and even knew that her father would likely disapprove to put it kindly. But the green haired Princess was determined none the less. A portal of various hues opened up in the center of the throne room, and out she stepped with a delicate movement. Her heels clicked lightly as she left behind the tropical climate of Genosha's island to arrive in the northern climes of Latveria. She was dressed for the change too. She wore a heavier weighted silk dress of a turquoise color, heavily embroidered with gold and silver swirls and geometric designs, split up the center to reveal a pair of tighter fitting leggings beneath and boots that reached her knees.

On her head rested a metal green head piece, the points spiked high and sharp looking to the eye and edged in black. She smiled as her gaze landed on Doom, and she offered a rather practiced curtsey. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me."

Doctor Doom has posed:
If Lorna was known, Doom was infamous.

He had many times battled with the Avengers and the Fantastic Four and more than once tried to contain forces which should never be contained. But Doom has perhaps changed over the many years of his life. He has gone from a supervillain to a respected monarch who is beloved by his people. While there are some who see him as a despot, others see him as what he is:

The greatest intellectual mind of his time.

Whether its true or not, Doom shall not allow for debate of it, especially not within his own nation. His own ego set aside, Doom lifts his eyes towards the creation of the portal; the sound alone and the mystical sense of its creation doesn't cause Doom any startle or alarm. It could be the Avengers and Doom would still not move from his location.

Instead, he is greeted by the guest he had intended. There were multiple guards in the room. Human, despite Doom's penchant for technology. They briefly look alarmed before Doom lifts only one finger, their weapons released and their muscles relaxed.

"Princess." Doom greets her with not an incline of his head, but through the honor of his words. "You are welcome. I bid you welcome to Latveria." He knows full well who she is...and who she represents.

"As per our agreement, I will hear what you have to say. Doom always honors his word."

Polaris has posed:
The green haired Princess of Genosha certainly didn't seem to have any qualms with travel by teleport, much less with the way the guards tensed at her arrival. After all, her gaze remained firmly resting on Doom's presence and figure on the throne. Her equally green eyed gaze, lingered, and there wasn't so much as a blink of surprise at his greeting. She simply took it in, her smile fixed in place.

"I appreciate you agreeing to meet with me at all, and for the timely response. Many countries won't even grant me that much." She folded her hands in front of her, finally lifting her gaze to roam about the hall and back.

"I wished to speak with you about a possibility of an alliance with Genosha, if you'd be open to that or not. Even if only in a limited manner, trade, or some such." She got right to the point at least, and her voice remained a gentle politeness, smooth and even.

Doctor Doom has posed:
Doom had seen this offer coming.

Though even after she asked her question, Doom spent perhaps the smallest moment of thought upon the subject. "Interesting that Genosha, a nation well-known for being isolationist due to its monarch's well-founded dislike of those who are not what scientists have coined 'Homo Superior', seek an alliance with a nation that is filled with homo sapiens - common folk, if you will." Regardless of what someone is, Doom has an air of superiority about him, as if both Homo Superior and Homo Sapien are beneath him.

Nevermind his ego.

"I am willing to discuss it." Doom eventually decrees. "If only to understand Genosha, its politics, and its people before I come to a decision."

Polaris has posed:
Lorna inclined her head, her posture tall and determined, though lacking the proud air her father seemed to wrap himself in. She was considerably younger, the youngest of his children, and the one to spend the most time with him in the past few years. For all that everyone knew their powers were much the same, they likewise knew how different they presented themselves in the world.

"Genosha is isolationist because we have been forced to be. I have been attempting for some time to find allies that would enjoy trade with us, allies that would help us when in need and would accept help in return." She murmured. "But so far I have had little to no luck in any such regard. And my father has little interest in such things. I am going to be Queen one day, and I do not think Genosha in the future is benefited from being entirely isolationist." She paused, as if considering what to say next.

"Many however wish to not involve themselves with my father, for various reasons. Which I entirely understand and respect, even while I curse it. I am looking toward Genosha's future, beyond my lifetime, beyond that of my father's. I want a Genosha that can stand the test of time beyond either of us."

Doctor Doom has posed:
Perhaps it was this lacking quality trait often found among rulers or soon-to-be-rulers that could be her diplomatic downfall. Or could it be that she has chosen the route of a gentle Princess who prefers symbiosis and harmony with other nations that will prove to be her salvation in this matter? Either way, Doom is neutral at the moment towards her despite the respect she gives him and the polite manner of which she speaks.

"I would assume that these attempts have failed thus far." Doom comments with a straight look in his eye. Like he knows this. But who knows? She might yet surprise him or she is attempting to give Doom the honor of being the first ally of Genosha? Surely, a country as powerful as Genosha in terms of technology and pure manpower would be quite the ally to have in the impossible event that Doom finds himself in great need of allies.

"...I will be blunt."

A pause.

"I am sympathetic to the cause of your people. If I found myself in a situation where the rest of the world despised me or didn't want me, I would wish for a place to call my own, for friends to count on. However, I do not trust your current monarch. While I have high hopes that you will do far better in his position, Magneto is not someone who I can rely on to not act rashly in the event the media pins Latveria any labels that it wishes."

After all, how would Magneto react if it was discovered that mutant was persecuted and/or killed on this supreme soil?

"...Yet, your honesty and willingness to forward your people show promise. I find myself tempted."

Polaris has posed:
What Doom had to say was something Lorna had heard many, many times over. His words read like a litany that she'd memorized from hundreds of lectures. 'You wound like a good ruler for Genosha, but...' along with a great many choice words regarding her father and his habits. She didn't lose her smile this time though, and she remained perfectly poised, and unruffled.

The tempted part however, was knew, and that as much surprised her and showed in the slow blink that followed his words. "Thank you for your vote of confidence in my ability going forward in my father's role. It is very kind of you to say so." It wasn't, everyone said it, and more than a few hung in the wings, ready to pounce once Magneto was no longer in the picture. Each believing the Princess he'd chosen as his heir to be easily batted away, or used.

"The news would paint my father as nothing more than a tyrant and a dictator. A man of extremes that boggle the mind and hold little relevance to the world at large." She murmured, "But as you are well aware, the media isn't always the most trustworthy source on judging the way one runs a country." She murmured, keeping her tone carefully polite.

"If you are hesitant do in part of my father's actions in threatening the US, I cannot blame you. But he did so without Genosha's military, and ran his actions as a separate entity. I know, it makes little difference at the end of the day. But to him he believed it to be enough for the King to act not as ruler but as the man he once was before he was King." She smiled thinly at that part.

"If trade would be more acceptable, and not an alliance built of military strength or the alike, I am perfect amenable to that."

Doctor Doom has posed:
Doom was nothing if not honest. Doom is no liar and Doom is not someone to spread falsehoods, even if it would inevitably benefit him. Thus, even though she is standing there pristine and kind despite his conceptions on Genosha's current King, if his mask would show it, he might even be grinning at the resolve that she points out.

As she speaks of the media, Doom just keeps his eyes on her. She's right, too. Magneto acted as an individual with a large degree of experience with his powers. He did not act as befitting of a King in peacetime or according to his status as a ruler of his own nation, one that he built from scratch, mind you.

Thus, while Magneto has a great deal of respect with Doom...that respect is constantly lost by Magneto's own folly.

"That won't be necessary."

Wait, what? Doom kept his eyes on her when she suggests that trade might be more acceptable. "I believe it would be in the best interests of both of our peoples if we declared a more official alliance. I offer that Latveria and Genosha be military allies, willing to share our strengths as well as be inducted in trade deals. I offer that such a treaty, which will be careful in what it allows and disallows between our people, to be created in the solidarity that we may share."

Polaris has posed:
Rejection was what Lorna expected, what she's come to know and accept from countless ruler after ruler. She'd tried to go through the proper veins of power, then the back channels and halls of power. All of which had been barred against her and her country, she'd expected as much from Latveria. It was a wild card for the Princess, to go to someone else dubbed a villian, to a man called despotic, and horrendous. Not unlike her father at all when it came to how the world viewed the two men.

She did not expect his acceptance and willingness to actually work for a treaty going forward, not really. His words finally broke through the political mask of polite smiles and looks to leave the green haired Princess well and truly shocked. She blinked repeatedly, stunned into a moment of silence as she stared.

"Oh..." She breathed, trying to gather herself once more. Suddenly animated as she reached up to press a hand against the green metal headpiece that held her hair back from her face. She still looked well and truly shocked, but she shifted her weight on her toes, and returned her gaze to Doom again.

"Very, very well indeed. Yes.. It will take time to ensure that the treaty is written correctly for the benefit of both our countries and people. That is very.. magnanimous of you to agree to a fully alliance with us. I hope you will excuse my surprise, I am not used to hearing such offers."

Doctor Doom has posed:
Doctor Doom didn't want to deny this to begin with. In fact, it was very advantageous to have mutants in the back pocket, or more rather in this case, firmly tied to your hand. He notices the shocked look on her face when he declares his agreement with her. Its amusing, to be completely honest, but the shock means that she's either not trained or not nearly as sociopathical as her father is.

Good. She'd make a good partner.

"You are excused. I imagine its a relief." Doom tells her with that same serious look in his eyes, but thats when the King rises from his throne and descends his stairs, making his way towards her. He stops a safe distance, about four feet from her, enough to look into her eyes.

"I believe that mutants are meant for great things. Do not be shocked when success is thrust upon you."

Polaris has posed:
The green haired Princess recovered from her momentary surprise with a grace and ease that belied the fact that she'd been working in politics for the past year or two. The effort was more masterfully done than some, but gave away the limits of having not been raised in power and her youth. She smiled thinly, her hands falling back to her sides as she twisted the fabric of her split skirts between her fingers.

As Doom rose from his throne, she blinked, and was once more oddly surprised at his complimentary words. "It is not something I am used to hearing from anyone other than my father. Or those that live in Genosha. Most people see my people as little and less than them and well, I am quite a bit more used to dealing with that." She murmured, shifting her weight as she considered the King of Latveria anew.

"I wasn't aware that you held such pro-mutant views."

Doctor Doom has posed:
Doom listens to her as she recovers from her susprise with no small amount of grace. He stood just a few feet in front of her, looking her in the eyes through that metal mask of his. Though Doom thinks he is superior to all, even his fellow humans, Doom clearly thinks like a King and not as someone who follows trends.

"Mutants are everywhere, Princess Lorna. Even here in Latveria. The hatred of mutants around the globe is something that has raised my ire on more than one occasion. It is high time the world knew where Latveria stood on this matter."

He inhales. "I believe mutants and humans should have the same rights. After all, in the end, we are all human when reduced to our barest genetics."

Polaris has posed:
Lorna folded her hands to try to find something to do with them other than idly keeping them at her side. She was unused to standing still, more used to pacing to keep up with her father or any number of Genoshan counselors. Even at the school, in New York, she was used to moving constantly. Even if it was never on the speed of her brother. She still smiled and inclined her head, "It's why Genosha accepts all mutant and human refugees that come to our shores. Mutants come from humans, love, and have families. It's not in my views to separate families for any reason if it can be helped. And hatred based on one's genetics is faulty reasoning at the most polite way of putting it." She murmured, her smile fading slightly.

"I have lost too many people in my family due to humanity's hatred of the 'other'."

Doctor Doom has posed:
Doom listens closely to Loran as she speaks. "Good. If you did such a thing, then Latveria would be forced to take notice and others were right to be afraid." Doom seems to sound approving of her decision there nonetheless.

"Humans are fickle creatures. They hate what they don't understand." He then turns on his heel, his flowing cloak trailing behind him with the turn as he walks back up to his throne, turning and sitting in a disciplined fashion upon it.

"Is there any other matters you wish to discuss, Princess?"

Polaris has posed:
Lorna inclined her head once more as Doom spoke of humans being fickle creatures, of their hatred of things they didn't know or understand. It was all too familiar a topic for the green haired Princess, one in which she was well versed from a variety of sources in her life. Still, as Doom turned and walked back to his throne, she offered a polite bob once more.

"No, but thank you. There's not much else I can think of that needs being said at the moment. I will have to converse with the Genoshan Council and my father regarding the treaty of course, and I will send a message when progress has been made in that regard." She pushed back her sleeve to tap on her flat-paneled watch, high stylized with whorls and golden accents.

"If that is all I shall depart, as I imagine you're a very busy man."

Doctor Doom has posed:
Doom seems almost amused by Lorna's words. Almost. When she tells him she will converse with the Genoshan Council and of course, give word to Magneto, Doom leans back in his chair just a little bit, his hands clasping together in front of him. "You have no idea, Princess."

What did Doom mean, by that?

"You may go in peace." Which he imagines will be the same way she arrived: via teleportation.

As it stands...it looks like Lorna is free to leave Latveria with the King's permission. He will likely eagerly await her word on the matter of a peace treaty.