Politics, Boring Politics

[aquarius]

Politics was like chess was something that Doom had heard before. Those who said that were fools. In chess, there were fixed rules. The players took turns and all moves were made in the open. There were finite options available to someone at any time, and their ultimate goal was always the same. Total defeat of their opponent. But in politics, it was everyone's turn all the time, moves were made to no rules except those the player chose for themselves, and they were made in secret. If the player was intelligent of course. Naturally, Latveria's intelligence gathering meant that he had yet another reason to consider everyone else unintelligent compared to himself.

The assembly today was for some insignificant affair relating to a trade agreement between all nations, but whilst Doom had no interest in the outcome of the debate, he did have an interest in getting to observe first hand one of the key architects of the proposed changes. The normally fairly reclusive individual was going to have to present a long speech to the crowd of world leaders, and rather than send a Doombot to observe, today he would do so in person. To a normal person it would be nothing of note, to a few they would pay attention to what questions were asked, and an extremely rare few would register the reactions of both Mr Wisdom and a few others of note regarding each question. He already knew most questions that would be asked, naturally. Some were easy to predict, a few were easy to find out by less than entirely legal means. The rest? Those were the most interesting of course. Anyone capable of keeping secrets from Doom gained his attention, meaning their secrets would not remain so for long. To learn what information they desired so much that they would ask for it openly, or what they thought was subtle misdirection, it all gave him endless insight into their way of thinking, and therefore how best to turn them into his puppets.

As the speech began, Doom got an impression on a few of those present that he considered relevant. The speaker, his fascinating bodyguard who he observed in the wings, and a mere handful of others in the room full of the supposedly most powerful people in the world.

Normally they would be observing him as well of course, but that was all but impossible to do to one such as Doom. None could even tell if it was really him sat there or a Doombot like they usually assumed. Not that any dared voice such a belief within his earshot of course. After the first diplomatic incident had been caused by someone doing so, it was universally agreed to treat any presence as if it were Doom himself. Regardless, they were resigned to learning nothing from watching him except for what a statue of Doom looked like.

As the proposal's summary drew to a close, it was time for Doom's final test of those present. A voice called for it to be ratified, and asked for anyone who would second it. Normally a mere formality which never drew any comment or notice, and yet this time it surely would.

"Doom also supports this proposal"

The whole room erupted into a sea of whispers at this - Doom rarely spoke unless it served Latverian interests directly. Did this mean he was so keen to see it succeed that he was openly supporting it? That he hoped to sway the more paranoid nations away from it by voicing his support? That he owed someone a favour, or that they now owed him a favour? In truth of course, he remained indifferent to it all. But it was wise to sometimes support things other than your own interests, since doing so obscured what you truly cared about from those that might seek to undermine you.

[aquarius]

Politics had always been way over Faiza's head. She was far more interested in actually making a difference than in talking about how important it was that someone made a difference, so everyone should do what they can and let the person talking take the credit for everyone's hard work. Her boss back in the UK tended to feel the same, despite having had to become a bit of a politician of late. With Mr Wisdom actually in New York for some big trade thing (officially, at least - there was no way he was actually involved in something that mundane), she had a rare chance to catch up with him, though she'd kind of hoped that Brian Braddock would have come along as well.

Whilst he was there, Faiza was officially acting as Mr Wisdom's bodyguard thanks to her diplomatic clearance. She struggled with the fact that this was just another reason to feel like a fraud, despite knowing it to be the impostor syndrome that she'd struggled with ever since getting powers, Excalibur, becoming an Avenger, and whatever else. But regardless of that she had a job to do, and for better or worse she'd do it to the best of her abilities. Naturally this was a cover for her real task, specifically getting used to politics and politicians.

The actual bodyguarding consisted mostly of standing around near him keeping an eye on people, though he was most certainly far more aware of any hostile intentions than she was. Her abilities meant she'd be able to prevent almost any harm befalling him though, and to undo just about anything that did befall him. This made her feel less nervous about his safety being in her hands, at least. Right up until he was on stage, and she noticed in the attendees...

Doom.

She'd run into him once or twice already, finding him deeply intimidating even before he was wiping the floor with Thor. And he seemed to hold an interest in her. Or more precisely, the blade whose name she was borrowing. He'd recently even stolen Mjolnir away from Thor, something only undone by the efforts of several Avengers including herself, and that left her concerned that his interest in the legendary blade of the Once And Future King was as easily explained as that implied. This was something to bring up with her boss after he was done talking, and accomplishing... whatever it was he was really here for. He could get in contact with Arthur, with Merlin and who knew who else, no doubt there were some precautions that could be taken to make whatever Doom might be planning more difficult for him. Still, knowing that this man who regularly took on entire teams of top tier heroes might be planning bad things directed at her... Well, she'd rest much easier back at Avengers HQ, and with the knowledge that the most powerful wizard in history had her back. Not that all of MI-13, Otherworld, and Captain Britain weren't reassuring allies as well, of course.