[OPEN] The king has arrived.

[thiscloakisgreen]

Characters: Victor von Doom--aka Dr. Doom--and whatever characters he comes across
Setting: Any random staircase, shortly after eating
Format: Either is fine, I'll match you
Summary: von Doom has recently found himself in yet another strange dimension. And he is relatively unfazed but clearly very annoyed.
Warnings: None really. Just don't waste his time, otherwise...rated T.


Just outside Room 5-02


...how disconcerting.

While many would succumb to the cold grip of fear or despair, there is a certain king who will not. There's already been a time wherein this king had found himself suddenly in a war--a secret war--that took place on a world far away from any other world one could imagine. Even then, this king came out on top. Or so he likes to think.

That king is Doom.

The central breastplate--what contains the more sophisticated gadgets of his arsenal--is missing. What remains are merely the limb plates and the mask, as well as a spare set of clothing. It shall suffice, if just for now. He was never one for words, so the instant his armor was on, he leaves.

Like a wraith, he almost glides out of the room, a quick yet silent pace that brought a whole new meaning to the word "ghastly". The hair on the back of one's neck might curl on end at the sight of him. Being in his way might cause trouble, a sign brought on by the instinctual level.

"Insolent wretch....Whomsoever placed me here will regret this."


Staircase


At a steady yet slow stride, the cloaked and armored man (as it were presumed) tolerates no hindrances.

Standing in front of him might seem like a terrible idea. His mission is unknown, and what drives this man--if he even is one, his physical appearance was not suggesting he necessarily was human--seems to drive him only on the highest gauge. Purpose guides every step further.

The architecture, he notes, is faulty and trivial. Clearly, it was held together by magic and not machines. A combination, perhaps, but more essence than form. While the hi tech visor and scanning computers were offline within his mask, a mere glance from a seasoned mind could spot that in an instant. The library would suffice, his mind still as clear as a silver brook now that it was nourished.

A strange crowd he would see, every so often. A fast and precise question was not out of the picture were the chance to present itself...

Comments

[kosmic_angel]

Of course, KOS-MOS didn't care at all the she was in his way. In fact, she didn't really care about him at all. The android was too busy checking this floor for anything different from usual, disregarding individuals that may or may not have been in the tower previously. And then she moved on, in a similar direction that he was going, simply allowing time to pass by until she was given an order by Shion or Wilhelm.

Very little here had convinced KOS-MOS to attempt to evolve beyond her programming or purpose.

[thiscloakisgreen]

Oh look--something that's familiar to him!

"Interesting..."

An android, red of eyes and odd colored hair. Not a difficult call to make for someone who's used to building similar constructs. None this extravagant, however.

Perhaps some use could be expunged from this automaton?

"You there, Android," he says with a commanding, powerful (and kind of unnecessarily loud) voice. He stops just before her, a towering giant a full foot above the average tall man. "I am searching for a means to learn of this tower's maker. Are you a servile creation of such a person? Do not waste my time with pitiable identification and simply answer me."

[kosmic_angel]

If she could be annoyed, she would be. He should be thankful that she cannot or KOS-MOS would have told him nothing. Instead she turned towards him silently, eyes empty and analyzing him.

"I was not constructed by any of the administrators within this tower. Information regarding them can be asked from residents that have spent a more influential period of time within the Tower of Animus. However, my database does have a minimal amount of data regarding Riki, Dax, Jason and Ruana. All of which are recorded in my database as administrators."

He didn't want a name, fine. He also didn't question what her purpose was, who her creator was or anything else and she wouldn't tell much anyway unless prompted.

[thiscloakisgreen]

More than what he needed. Perhaps this machine might be of use later.

"I shall research such names myself, android," he said. Robots are just robots to him, after all. Every time one of his Doombots got out of control...machines that can think tend to cause nothing but trouble.

A certain psychopathic robot with a mind of its own came to his mind. An unpleasant thought. Continuing his path, he says, "you are spared my wrath for not being a loathsome monstrosity of this tower's constructors. Your creator has my thanks."

His cloak is held by one of his hands as he walks away.

[kosmic_angel]

For a moment, it seemed as though KOS-MOS would simply let him go without another comment but, despite the fact that he was not with Vector or any of her friends, she felt the need to warn him.

"While you are here, I would recommend against making any movements against the administrators. And you will need to speak with others here for information on them as there are no books provided in the library in regards to the administrators or the past."

[thiscloakisgreen]

The only response given was quite neutral--"All in due time."

His pace never halted for a moment. The confident stride, unbroken or fazed.

Stairwell/Hallway

[true_noir]

Someone else had the same taste in cloaks as Doom, though hers was clearly of lesser quality. It was functional, rather than of the finest in materials. However, though the shade was a little darker, it wrapped around her with a faint bit of similarity as she stalked, rather than walked, through the corridors.

Seeing him walking through the hallways as if he were the king in exile made her smile. It reminded her of so many she had seen in other places. That arrogance and pride spoke of royalty, nobility, or something similar. Did he have power to back it up, or was he merely cocksure? That was always something of a question.

Hovering at the edges of the shadows and not in his way, she gave him a nod but said nothing, curious to see if he would completely ignore her or say something.

Re: Stairwell/Hallway

[thiscloakisgreen]

Who's this? A young lady, or a man with long hair? It meant very little.

Within seconds, he had taken in every detail of this person with a mere study of his center and inevitably his peripheral vision. Clearly, some interesting sentients populated this so-called "tower".

He goes for the usual response, however.

"Do not stalk around me like a shadow waiting to strike, woman."

[true_noir]

"It's much more fun to do, and I hardly know if you aren't about to strike now do I, master Dauger," she said, lips parted in a playful little smile as she took him in. Would he be from a world that might catch a reference or not? She was always curious Those eyes had the same sort of gauging quality to them, though not necessarily as experienced as his own. They were accustomed to observing everyone.

"But there is little point in striking when a hand does not hold the blade. I am not some wanton murderer."

[thiscloakisgreen]

For the briefest of moments, it went unnoticed. But oh, did he stop. He turned his head and his body accommodated. There's that presence that felt looming. Not physically. But just something that was felt.

"I shall not be referred to as a lowly criminal. You, assassin, shall hencefort refer to me as Doom. Doctor Doom, to be precise. And it is a poor shepherd who does not realize the brevity of this name. For your incontinence, I am to overlook just this one time, assassin, if you were to provide me with information."

[true_noir]

Her lips curled upwards a fraction more when he said that. The ego was palpable, and impressive. She hadn't seen someone quite this egotistical in a little while. It was enjoyable in its own way, if only because it made her want to deflate the ego in ways only she knew how.

However, he did at least seem to grasp the meaning behind her words, which was appreciated. Royalty then, most likely. "Very well, Doctor," she said softly, preferring the title if he was going to allow it. Doom seemed... silly, though she expected she knew why he thought to use such a garrish sort of moniker.

"I have little knowledge of this place, but perhaps more than you might expect. It is not the first world I have been trapped in, after all..."

[thiscloakisgreen]

"Then I shall take my leave. I have no use for information in a small amount. A new one such as you, however, may wish to seek the goal I have embarked with, assassin."

He does like the use of his title, although he'll never admit it.

[true_noir]

"I confess to a little curiosity, yes," she said, nodding at that. "Though if it is knowledge of this place you seek, I suggest the networks. Old logs that the captives have collected. There will be disinformation, but in their collected musings you may find where to seek your next questions."

It had worked on Atia, after all...

Outside 5-02

[relinquishing]

Had he not bothered to keep his eyes forward, Guy would have probably missed the figure slipping part the door like some sort of shadowy snake. As it was, the moment his eyes catch the man, he's quickly stepping aside to let him by. His posture, how he walked, how those words slipped out of his mouth in the most disgusted manner... it gave off an aura of power. Whether that power was real or assumed, Guy couldn't tell. But it was enough to be intimidating.

The mask was certainly not helping, at least.

"Insults aren't going to get you anywhere, you know..." It's said under his breath, more to himself than the other man as he moves to enter the room. He'd might as well let him do as he pleased.

Re: Outside 5-02

[thiscloakisgreen]

The tall one stops suddenly.

"Guy, was it?" Not a turn of the head, a simple gesture, nothing. This man stood stone stiff. Or, well, metal stiff, at any rate.

Was it the comment?

[relinquishing]

Guy freezes in the middle of turning the door handle.

Slowly, carefully, the door clicks shut, Guy straightening up and letting his expression stay as neutral as possible, save the edge of a polite smile out of habit. Was this man told his name before?

"That's right. I don't believe we've been introduced."

"Ichory" is a word. Quit telling me how to live my life, spell check

[thiscloakisgreen]

"A pity."

He of course says that with a completely neutral tone, with the ichory tinge of sarcasm to it.

Doom weaves his hand in a gesture to his side, before clenching it suddenly. "I am Doctor Victor von Doom," he says, before turning to him. Those eyes seem to glitter with a dark magic as he says this. "And I shall henceforth be referred to as Doctor Doom by you, Guy. As it is what I am called, with respect and reverence, by everyone else."

In any other situation, this might seem quite serious. He still kind of looks goofy, though.

[relinquishing]

"...Right." Goofy was one way to put it, and Guy found himself raising an eyebrow at the dramatics of it all. The cloaked man didn't seem to be joking. Should he just play along for the time being?

He sighed. "Will just your title suffice for now, Doctor?" It was not exactly said out of reverence or respect, but the hint of sarcasm that wanted to sneak in so desperately was bitten back. Guy hadn't spent the last 17 years as a servant without learning how to at least speak cordially around a figure of authority, even one he wasn't particularly comfortable around. There was no need to get fussy over something like a title.

[thiscloakisgreen]

This seemed to placate him. His arms return to a regular position.

"It shall. A ruler knows to be magnanimous enough to allow many titles to themself, and Doctor is especially well respective to me."

Staircase

[vermicompost]

Stairs aren't Kariya's forte, but he does use them when traveling between the dormitory floors.

He isn't particularly adept at getting out of the way, but as he finds himself in the middle of the stairwell as Doom approaches, he does his best as the man bears down on him, limping to one side painfully just in time.

He isn't sure what to make of the person passing by, he's so obscured by his cloak and armor. But that doesn't prevent him from being polite. "Excuse me."

Re: Staircase

[thiscloakisgreen]

A sick man was attempting the stairs? How folly. Before he could insult this diseased plebian, however, a certain something else caught his eye...

Aye, it was a distinct feeling. And it proved the man was hardly sick for a mundane reason. The cloaked figure stops dead just as the other man was well back to being on his way.

"Power always comes at a price, wizard."

The voice, reverberated through the mask, was full of confidence. Or perhaps it was condescending as well.

[vermicompost]

Kariya looked back, his eyes widening slightly. This man must have magecraft of some kind if he were able to sense that. Kariya wasn't surprised he hadn't sensed the other's ability himself, since he would be the first to admit that he wasn't much of a magus. He didn't even care to have the term applied to him.

That confident, condescending tone wasn't unfamiliar to him. It might well have echoed in the halls of the Matou Mansion.

"I'm no wizard," he said, gritting his teeth, his voice firm in spite of his physical state. One thing he'd never wanted was power, not like that. It was a means to an end, that's all.

[thiscloakisgreen]

The only thing seen from looking behind oneself would be the green cloak, still lightly billowing from prior footsteps. "And yet, you made such a deal for power. That alone qualifies you as a mage of some sort, however unskilled you may be."

The top of the cloak--naturally, where the head was--awkwardly craned towards the man further up the stairs. Is this man of the Orient? Hard to tell. "I am not one for asking every downtrodden spellcaster for their name, but I shall be magnanimous and ask for yours, mage."

There's definitely a face behind the mask. Most would be glad that the mask was there, too.

[vermicompost]

He can't honestly deny that he did make a deal, so he doesn't. "I did, but that's different." His unused, weak magic circuits wouldn't have been enough for him to be ready to fight in the War. He hadn't had time to train. Only a year. So he hadn't had any choice.

"It's Kariya. Kariya Matou. Just don't call me that. Mage." Zouken was a magus. Tokiomi was a magus. He didn't want to be one, even if this stranger was technically correct.

His discomfort caused the worms to stir slightly, but he ignored the pain. "Who are you?" This man wasn't quite like anyone else he'd met in the Tower thus far. But then, the Tower had many unique residents, he'd come to realize.

[thiscloakisgreen]

So he "is" of the Orient!

"I am known by many names. A king. The Emperor. But the name I am always known by is Doom. Doctor Doom. Remember it well, for this will not be the last time we meet, Kariya," he says. And with that, the head turns back stairway-wards. Although he still had yet to take any steps.