towerofanimus | A Meeting of Minds [Closed]

Entry tags:

A Meeting of Minds [Closed]

Characters: Doom and Kariya Matou [CLOSED]
Setting: Room 5-02
Format: Action to prose.
Summary: A letter somehow finds its way to ol Kariya about meeting with Vic. The resident supervillain ever so eloquently discusses a few matters with the runaway Matou...
Warnings: Contains blood.

[Room 5-02 was now very different than the usual household in the tower. Lavished with strange red fabrics as decoration, the usual small apartment was finely arranged with various tools and crude designs for unknown creations and insignias. While conditioned to be of the same proportion as all of the other apartment rooms, this one just seemed a little out of place.]

[Then there was the feeling of being under constant watch. No obvious things to record visual information seemed to exist but the feeling is always there.]

[A table is set, with two fine glasses and a bottle prepared at the table. With the usual cloaked, armored visage of Dr. Doom himself seated at one of the ends. Those eyes of his were on them the entire time as he motions for one to sit...]

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Kariya still was very uncertain about the Doctor, with all his strange speeches and grandiose pronouncements, but he had no definite reason to fear him. The Doctor hadn't offered him any harm. He'd only spoken cryptically to him, which was bewildering, but not harmful.

"Hello, Doctor," he said as he entered the room. He preferred addressing him as "Doctor" rather than "Doom", for reasons that may have been obvious. He would have felt awkward calling someone Doom. "I got your note." He studied the surroundings, taking in the tools and odd objects. He nodded toward his host, wondering if he ever took that armor off his face. Was his face disfigured in some way, like Kariya's own?

"Thank you for inviting me." He might as well be polite. He took a seat, as Doom indicated.

Right on time. What counted as time in Animus, as it were.

"Ah yes. Kariya. So you are good on your word." With a small pinch of his metallic hand, the cork in the bottle pops out and then hands suspended in mid air. For a moment, gravity just seemed to be relative in a small room. The next, it hovered down on the table, harmless. "This is, unfortunately, not wine," he said. "And it has come to my attention that alcohol is now being brandished in the evening meals.

I, however, do not see it fit to substitute a fine wine with a daiquri. We are not alcoholic simpletons and Doom will not behave as an American might."

Despite having used his hand to uncork the bottle, it then stands in midair much like the cork did, unhindered by the silly notion known as "physics".

"This is merely some sort of carbonated beverage I managed to obtain from inside the Tower. None to worry; it had a sister that I had already consumed. It's quite safe."

"I always try to keep my word," said Kariya, earnestly. At the mention of keeping his word, he thought of Sakura, as he so often did. He'd made a promise to her, and he was going to keep it. But that wasn't the subject at hand.

"I don't really drink alcohol," he said. What he meant was that he couldn't keep it down anymore. It was too much for his injured body to process. "So it's fine." He watched the bottle float, but considering his upbringing, something like a floating bottle didn't strike him as unusual. Zouken might easily do the same. Acts of magecraft didn't impress him. Quite the opposite, so he ignored the gesture. "This is probably better."

Kariya felt uncomfortable in his seat, more due to this situation than the seat itself, and he shifted. "What was it you wanted to speak to me about? Our histories?"

"It is a non-alcoholic beverage, surprisingly," Dr. Doom says as a glass is poured for either of them by a pair of hands that don't exist. "An even rarer find. Being of the European countryside, wine is something I am all too accustomed to."

The liquid is cherry red and fizzes much like a soda was (although he assures Kariya it is not soda). The inside is not murky and looks almost joyful for children if they ever looked at it.

"Doom shall not bore you of the details of his world or yours. While I emitted interest in your so-called 'Holy Grail War', I would normally be then required to tell you of my 'Secret War', as it was called. Rather, what interests me is your position."

Doom somehow manages to take a sip of his glass, through a small slit in his mask. "Exsquisite. And what I mean is, 'what motivates Kariya Matou to action'? One does not fight in a war of magic and not have a motive. Even a motive of survival would be perfect justification, would it not?"

Kariya sipped politely at the offered beverage. It did taste pleasant, whatever it was. "It's good. Thank you." He was sure he'd be fine, as long as he didn't drink too much.

"A Secret War? What is it for?" Kariya had no reason for asking but pure curiosity. He didn't see how his knowing about Doom's war could have any relevance. It was not as if he'd ever go to that world. It hass been difficult enough, trying to get back to his own world, his own War.

"My position?" He was not sure if someone like Doom was going to appreciate his position. Doom seemed more like most of the other magi in the war (not that he knows them or Doom well, so here he is making an assumption based on Tokiomi), more concerned with power and their own magecraft. Well, Waver was different, but that's all. Waver had understood his goal.

Kariya might not have expected Doom's respect, but that didn't stop him from answering Doom's question. "There's someone who's very important to me, and she's suffering. I want to set her free. I want her to be happy. That's all." Survival was, perhaps, the opposite of his motive, as he'd thrust himself into a self-destructive pursuit of victory.

"Hm hmm hmm hm hm. Exactly the question that doesn't need asking. Why was I in the Secret War?" he says rather mellow, almost jovial if it wasn't for his general way of speaking. Cherry was definitely the flavor of this sparkling wine substitute.

A small, metallic automaton in the rough attitude of an insect began crawling inquisitively on Doom's shoulder. It is taken into his grasp without consideration, as it may well be something he built himself, but it fills his voice with anger and contempt. "The Secret War was not one of volunteer," he said, just before beginning to crush the bug, causing it to squeal. "I was taken *crush, squeal* from my glorious nation and then forced *more squealing* to fight for...well," Dr. Doom finally releases his grip on the insectoid machine, send it on its way to somewhere else.

"You're better off not knowing the answer. You have Doom's word."

As for the latter statement...

Doom seemed to almost roll his eyes. Fighting for another person? How naive...yet, the doctor merely seems address this angry sentiment towards people up and above away from them. "How often I hear that. Truly, it must be a goal worth suffering if others from other places are doing the same thing," he says finally, after some pause of consideration.

"But let me speak plainly with you for this one moment--was it truly worth selling your body to abominations? That is something that still holds me very cross, Kariya."

Kariya regarded the metal insect, his eyes widening slightly as Doom gripped it tightly and it squealed. "What is–" But maybe he shouldn't ask.

"I'm sorry you were forced into something like that." He decided not to press, if Doom didn't want to tell him. He must have his reasons for not wanting to discuss it. Kariya had never been one to pry unnecessarily. "I can understand being made to fight. It wasn't my first choice. I felt like I had to."

As for whether it was worth it... Of course he hated his current state. Of course he would rather be as he was before, healthy and whole. But there was only one way he could answer this question. "Yes. I would do anything for Sakura." The words were simple, but the truth in them was plain. "This was the only way I could join the War. I have to win the War to set her free. I think it's worth it."

'Sakura,' Doom repeats in his head. 'Such a common Japanese name...'

"I shall not be bothered with such details as names," he says. "What matters is that this is important enough for you to give yourself up to some sort of feeble power. I don't know how long you intended to last but, through what I am seeing, it would not nearly be long enough."

His voice grows sharp. Sharp enough to pierce through chests and destroy the heart. His sips have grown into gulps. Clearly now despite his banter he certainly wished it was wine. "If the damage to your body is too significant, even Doom cannot help a dead man. Yet, this Tower I'm assuming has prevented it from happening."

His position turns into a forward slouch as Doom's elbows rest on his iron knees. "The price of power, I've found, can even outweigh the uses at times. Though perhaps this meeting may be your saving grace, Kariya."

At this point, his eyes begin to glow green as he had begun speaking, a stark contrast with the usual dark brown.

Kariya takes umbrage at the suggestion that he might not be the one to win the war. Of course he's going to win. Because he has to. What other reason is there? It's the greatest reason. He must want it more than any of the other Masters. He's sure of it. They don't have his sense of purpose. "I can last long enough. I only needed to last a few more days. The War was going to be over soon. My Servant was the strongest."

Defensive he may be, but he listens as Doom's voice sharpens. "There's a healer who's been helping me. She can't heal me completely, but she's kept me from dying here." As far as the Tower administrators were concerned, they would probably have been quite content to have him killed by the worms over and over again. "When I go home, I'll die. I knew what was going to happen when I agreed to this. It was the only way." At least, the only way he'd been able to see at the time.

However wary of Doom he may still be, he's caught by the words saving grace. "What do you mean, Doctor?"

"Well, Kariya, allow me to make your circumstance a little clear," Doom says. "You are in a tower filled with strong healers. Your death is made moot here now. You are one who uses magic no less than an amateur would and in front of you sits one of the most powerful warlocks the world has ever seen. You have even gotten so far as to be sitting down with him over a nice drink.

"Think for yourself."

The word "Servant" as a proper noun had been thrown around a few times. Having seen certain people being called Servants tended to be unassuming yet very powerful humanlike beings. Relatively unknown but very hard to miss over the occasional humdrum. There's also that little birdy he has...

"Now may be time for that quick demonstration, is it not?..." He says, before leaning back and taking a leisurely drink of his not-wine.

While one may be thinking to take a drink of their own at that point, it would be quite surprising to suddenly feel a sudden increase in weight in one's hand to then noticing that the glass, liquid and all, had been turned into a rapidly growing (and apparently antagonized) snake.

Edited 2013-02-06 05:26 (UTC)

"I know what my circumstance is." Kariya was beginning to think this was a bad idea. "I'm not interested in magic," Kariya said. "I never was." He had no desire to become a mage like Zouken or Tokiomi. That he was one now was due to sheer bad luck and the choice he'd made because of it. He wasn't impressed by Doom's claim to be one of the most powerful warlocks in the world, even if it were true. (Though it was intimidating, perhaps.) It was more of a detriment in his mind.

When the drink turned into a snake (what was happening?) Kariya, alarmed, his eyes widening, dropped it as quickly as possible. "What–?" He frowned, drawing away from the snake. "I don't need a demonstration, thank you."

Now grown to a size that would rival a small, baby elephant in its own weight class, the viper hisses violently. Cold, dead, lidless eyes stayed straight on its target, Kariya.

"Oh, but I think otherwise," said Doom. His own drink now finished, he carefully places it on the table and stands his full height, towering well over Kariya. Even if they were quite a distance from each other. "I was like you once," he said, "distanced from my true heritage. When I was a boy, I had no idea that my ancestors dabbled in the mystic arts."

The snake drew itself ever closer to its intended victim. Now having stopped growing, it could wrap itself around a man and cover him whole with body mass along. The Doctor's words become more quiet and methodical, precise and as deadly as the snake he conjured. "But magic is actually quite mirthful in its regard to lineage. You see--now matter how far we stem away from magic, it will always find a way. To give us its power. To goad us into taking it no matter what.

"I am certain our circumstances were a little difference--I was not even aware I was from a long line of wizards until I discovered my mother's hidden chest, whereas you might've known--but the end result is the same." The Doctor begins walking himself, in a semi circle around the viper. "We either find the magic, or it finds us. Now that you have tasted magical power, half-mage, it can never be ignored."

The snake looked as though it could attack at any moment.

"No, we're not the same. I'm not like that. I knew, I always knew, what they were like. The way they treated people, as if they were better than them. I hated it." Even if he was from a long line of "wizards", as Doom put it, he wanted nothing of it. Even now, he's only a pawn, being used by the power rather than using it. He hated that, too "You're like the other magi. You want to use your power to bully people. Well, I won't–"

He was upset, of course, growing more so by the moment, and he coughed, the action bringing with it a bright burst of blood from his throat that spilled out over his chin and onto his shirt. He didn't need to conjure anything. Along with the blood, worms spilled from his mouth, bodies slick with the red liquid.

As he coughed them up, they were already changing, growing wings, their sightless faces gaining eyes– as well as teeth. They grew larger, and the sound of their new wings finding first flight hummed through the air, a low and unfriendly sound. One of them darted toward the snake, attempting to affix its jaws to the animal's neck. Blood continued to flow from Kariya's mouth, and from his nose.

"Perhaps. I cannot speak for my fellow spellcasters, however I--"

And then, after that little spectacle...

This repulsed him visibly for a moment, before his eyes reaffixed themselves into a glare. "Dear lord, you're infested!"

The snake and worm begin a struggle for domination, the dead flesh of the snake unaffected by damage but the worm lacking a proper blood flow for the venom to affect it very much.

"I underestimated you, Kariya. I had not actually thought you had went 'this' far, in this way. Demon familiars that take the form of foul parasites. Hmph, you are right about one thing--"

While the snake had begun to gain some sort of advantage over its foe in a constriction, they were both vaporized in a flash of green light--devoid of mana or reason just before Doom launched into a soliloquy. "--we are not the same. I see that now. Doom sought power while you avoided it. And while Doom shall succeed, the man I see before me is fated to fail! But what exactly is power? A man as smart as Kariya Matou will think it is strength of magical energy or his familiars."

The evil Doctor's attention changed now towards the Matou in front of him, although he didn't move at all.

"The correct answer, as Doom shall make readily apparent, is that power simply is. I thought you would have interested me further, but it was not that Doom liked it from the beginning. More than a decade of so-called 'allies of justice' have since beckoned to gain the ire of Doom under a false pretense of 'justice' or 'freedom'!" His voice is now loud, not too dissimilar from the barely restrained tone of a monster. "You would say I bully others with my power? Maybe. Maybe! But Doom always watches the price of power, and would never sell himself for such a hollow chance!"

The dictator may have garnered the attention of the familiars, but he is otherwise unconcerned. "I believe our discussion is at an end here, Kariya. And believe me when I say that you have lost your one chance to be a knight instead of a pawn."

Soundless, a thread makes its descent towards Kariya from above...

When the Blade Wing Worm and the snake disappeared in a flash, Kariya started. The remaining Crest Worms hung around Kariya's head, protecting their "Master". "They're not demons," he said, though he didn't bother to explain what they were. He didn't owe this man any explanations.

"I'm not going to fail. I'm going to win. You don't know anything about the War. Or me." He doesn't know about Berserker. Berserker gives him more power than almost anything else could. If Berserker were here... but he isn't.

This man was reminding him of Zouken more or more, and he loathed Zouken. He regretted agreeing to come speak to Doom. It had been a poor decision.

"I don't want to interest someone like you. Someone like you can't understand anything that matters." He didn't care about justice so much as he simply cared about Sakura, Rin, and Aoi. If he could help them through unjust means, he would, likely without hesitation. He knew he wasn't a good man now, if he ever was. "I wouldn't want to be your knight. I have nothing more to discuss with you."

Buzzing about his head, the worms spy the thread descending, and Kariya glances up.

"A pity. For it is every war I have ever seen.

"And one as smart as I knows that your so-called "power" will kill you long before you ever accomplish anything."

Vomiting worms? That was a new one. Although there was a book or two about it he had seen before, it was no less disgusting. Almost as bad as Annihilus. And that thing "is" a giant bug.

At the very end of the thread is...nothing.

Something had taken flight--fallen, rather--soon after being noticed.

"Doom did not sell himself for a limited power. Even greater fools have sought something so hollow a promise as "immortality"! Or powerful artifacts they could not hope to fathom! For these men, Doom has no greater hate. I would see such concepts destroyed before I embrace them..."

Just like that one time years ago. Well, technically it was one hundred years into the future, but the trip was just a few years ago. Reflected in the mirror, a machine once a man gave it all up for a "goal"--and upon its destruction, the emperor had vowed to never become it.

The Doctor seems sort of lost in that last line, recalling his referred adventure...

"I'll live long enough to finish the war and win. That's all that matters. The worms are the means, they're not the end." But again, he doesn't explain himself. He doesn't see the need to, even if he is defensive. The remaining Blade Wing Worms, having been called forth, settle around him. He's not exactly sure what to do with them now.

He knew that he wasn't pretty, and that the worms weren't pretty, but he had known exactly what he was getting into when he had made his pact with Zouken.

"I told you, it wasn't for power, it was to save someone. And that's what I'm going to do." It was Zouken who wanted immortality. Kariya had, on the contrary, been willing to throw his life away. For Sakura. For Aoi. He didn't regret it, even now. It wasn't only to save someone, it was also his penance. For allowing things to reach such a state. For not doing so many things he should have done.

"But that's where you got this power, for 'a' power it is."

Things seemed to get a little hazy, intangible almost. Things darkened. The walls seemed made of cardboard, the drapes and red cloth were losing color, fast. Until, really, the place collapsed away from itself like it was all made out of cardboard in a dark void.

"You used it to help someone, but power it was. Power 'is'. Quite clearly, your sorry state is due to its donor, someone who knows as well as I do it won't last."

He's seen it a few times. And he has done it a few times.

"You see before you the true pinnacle of mankind's potential--the true future I hold! For in my world, there is no one who can match Doom in any contest, be it magic or might! Show me your limited magicks, then! And prove to a king that you would succeed!"

Silence, other than his voice, permeated the room.

Edited (I never use this thing so I think I will just this one time. EXTRAFAKE FTW!) 2013-02-11 04:02 (UTC)

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A Meeting of Minds [Closed]

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I had to change the warning cuz of that last one!

haha yes, sorry, Kariya needs to come with his own warning

which is funny because a Zero/Berserker app'd this cycle. =p

Yes, Kariya may get some more power soon

it will be great