Post by aquarius on Jul 14, 2022 12:07:42 GMT -7
Doom was in a good mood. He had resolved an ongoing threat to Latveria's security finally, but also managed to locate a tome of dark magics which had previously been thought lost to the world. Whilst there was little in the volume he did not know already it still contained some new lore, and it was a fascinating insight into the mind of the author, potentially revealing more once studied more closely than just the initial reading.
How best to celebrate? When the day had been good for him, then the day should be good for all Latveria. Therefore a national holiday was declared and preparations began in each town and village for the festivities that came with Doom's Day. Often he sent out a Doombot to several settlements to represent him, attending in person also at another randomly selected location. Today his presence would grace the village of Varweg, not one he had ever seen in person before, though he knew it well enough from the records his people kept.
As the sun grew lower in the sky, Doom arrived to see the celebrations already under way. Walking to the village from a short distance away, no prior announcement given, he always valued the glimpses of his people in genuine celebration, none of the affectation which seemed to be put on by some of the older citizens who remembered how things had been before Doom, under the tyrant who had come before him.
Of course, it took only a few seconds for someone to spot and recognise him, though the musicians continued their tune and many of the revellers kept dancing, oblivious to their Lord's presence. But before he had reached any of the villagers enough had seen him that a place had been made for him at the main table, the largest, most comfortable chair moved there and a glass of wine placed nervously. Doom carried on at the same pace and only when he was at his seat did he show any acknowledgement of them. "This is a celebration. Continue celebrating, therefore."
The music resumed instantly, as did the dancing. Within moments it was as if he had not interrupted them at all. Not until a few more hours had passed did things slow down enough that the festivities moved on to a traditional competition of the celebration, one open to any of the village and theoretically with all entrants on an equal footing. Any who entered themselves needed only to declare their greatest accomplishment over the past year, and explain why it was better than that of the other entrants. Doom enjoyed witnessing these, since it was fascinating what people considered accomplishments, and indeed why they considered them impressive.
Naturally he was asked to judge the entrants this year, and Doom consented. It seemed likely that several who would have done so changed their mind because of his presence, but cowardice was their problem, not his. As such, he was left to decide between a huntsman who had tracked and killed a particularly troublesome wolf that had plagued the farmers' flocks for several months, a young woman who had secured a scholarship to one of the main universities in Doomstadt, or a young child who had not only learned to read recently, but also ignored his parents urging him to stop bothering their monarch with such trivialities.
Doom took only a moment to reach his decision, but waited a few more seconds to give the impression of proper consideration. Finally his voice rang out again in proclamation of his judgement. "Whilst attaining a scholarship is a great step in securing an advanced education and therefore improving your life and your country, learning to read unlocks the potential for all knowledge. Therefore I deem young Karth to be the victor. Let his honour be all yours until the next Doom's Day!"
There were cheers from many, some who understood and some who did not. Some who cheered out of fear and some who cheered out of inebriation. But ultimately it was all the same. The people were happy, and Doom was happy.
How best to celebrate? When the day had been good for him, then the day should be good for all Latveria. Therefore a national holiday was declared and preparations began in each town and village for the festivities that came with Doom's Day. Often he sent out a Doombot to several settlements to represent him, attending in person also at another randomly selected location. Today his presence would grace the village of Varweg, not one he had ever seen in person before, though he knew it well enough from the records his people kept.
As the sun grew lower in the sky, Doom arrived to see the celebrations already under way. Walking to the village from a short distance away, no prior announcement given, he always valued the glimpses of his people in genuine celebration, none of the affectation which seemed to be put on by some of the older citizens who remembered how things had been before Doom, under the tyrant who had come before him.
Of course, it took only a few seconds for someone to spot and recognise him, though the musicians continued their tune and many of the revellers kept dancing, oblivious to their Lord's presence. But before he had reached any of the villagers enough had seen him that a place had been made for him at the main table, the largest, most comfortable chair moved there and a glass of wine placed nervously. Doom carried on at the same pace and only when he was at his seat did he show any acknowledgement of them. "This is a celebration. Continue celebrating, therefore."
The music resumed instantly, as did the dancing. Within moments it was as if he had not interrupted them at all. Not until a few more hours had passed did things slow down enough that the festivities moved on to a traditional competition of the celebration, one open to any of the village and theoretically with all entrants on an equal footing. Any who entered themselves needed only to declare their greatest accomplishment over the past year, and explain why it was better than that of the other entrants. Doom enjoyed witnessing these, since it was fascinating what people considered accomplishments, and indeed why they considered them impressive.
Naturally he was asked to judge the entrants this year, and Doom consented. It seemed likely that several who would have done so changed their mind because of his presence, but cowardice was their problem, not his. As such, he was left to decide between a huntsman who had tracked and killed a particularly troublesome wolf that had plagued the farmers' flocks for several months, a young woman who had secured a scholarship to one of the main universities in Doomstadt, or a young child who had not only learned to read recently, but also ignored his parents urging him to stop bothering their monarch with such trivialities.
Doom took only a moment to reach his decision, but waited a few more seconds to give the impression of proper consideration. Finally his voice rang out again in proclamation of his judgement. "Whilst attaining a scholarship is a great step in securing an advanced education and therefore improving your life and your country, learning to read unlocks the potential for all knowledge. Therefore I deem young Karth to be the victor. Let his honour be all yours until the next Doom's Day!"
There were cheers from many, some who understood and some who did not. Some who cheered out of fear and some who cheered out of inebriation. But ultimately it was all the same. The people were happy, and Doom was happy.