Undeterred (Doom & Dracula)

[Gummy]

The journey to the UN building never did take long. At least in the car he drove there was space from those around him. His driver hadn't said a word to him all the way. That was not normal but then this time of the evening with so little to go on was enough to make the driver uncertain.

Dracula looked at his phone and sent one quick message.

"Meeting, UN, NYC, ASAP.
"

He knew there would probably be no response but then he never did get one from Dr Doom unless it was under certain circumstances. He really did like use of that emoji that had been created. It did save him a lot of time typing out his full name. However, there were formalities to keep track of and in this case he felt that it needed a little more explaining... Then again he was looking at the message to his neighbour, who else could you send a funny picture to if it wasn't a neighbour!

Just then the car slowed and stopped, he looked to the driver in the front, he just nodded. Vlad kept his feelings to himself. This was going to need a gentle hand.

"Thank you. Find somewhere to park."

The driver knew that would either mean he was to take Dracula back home after or he would get a message to head back. At least the job paid well.

Dracula got out of the car and headed to the building which given the time was closed. That didn't matter, he knew where he could wait. Heading straight up he rested on the roof. At least the sun had set. Now there was only the matter of waiting for the impending discussion. Hopefully there wouldn't be any stupid snippers or would-be heroes to cause issues. Knowing him there would be. These people never had manners when it came to people on neutral ground!

[aquarius]

As a ruler of a powerful but unpopular nation, Doom was used to communications from various figures of significance. Often certain people sought to deal with him outside of public scrutiny. Sometimes these people were worth his attention, and sometimes they were just as likely to bring unwelcome scrutiny as he was. That was the problem with being widely thought of as a villain by the brainless masses.

This evening brought an unusually brief message via one of his more mundane contact methods. Nothing that usually heralded something all that urgent or interesting, but no ordinary people would have known about that contact. As such the lack of any definite identification from the sender meant nothing. Doom had the means to determine the sender's true identity easily, and did so as a precaution.

As such, when Dracula reached the roof of the building, Doom already lurked in the shadows, having gone through some basic security checks and precautions. After a few seconds of Dracula's presence Doom decided to make himself known finally.

"Are we teenage girls, that we use crude abbreviations and cartoonish pictures in place of proper communication? Whilst my time is precious, it is not so limited that common courtesy needs to be dispensed with. Speak your mind Vlad, before I lose what little interest I have in what you want from me."

[Gummy]

If he was to be in a better mood he would have laughed at the idea of being a teenage girl! He was far too old for that.

"If you wish to add pig tails to that helmet it would certainly imply you were more fem.... never mind. To the point."

It was only then that Vlad turned to him. Yup, still a man in a metal suit wanting to rule all. Oh well, a deal needs to be made.

"The UN. I wish for my country to become a member. I need your help in doing so. I approached once before but then was different. Now, things need to move forward. My people need protecting, now more than ever."

He looked up to the sky for several seconds his age was showing there was trouble brewing and he thought he knew who the culprit was.

"Do you think you could help get Transilvania in the UN?"

[aquarius]

Doom's face did not change in the slightest, which was inevitable. It had been obvious enough what Dracula had wanted, given the location he had sought the meeting at. Not that it made any difference where they met of course, but then this would-be head of state had a propensity towards needless drama.

"Indeed. Last time we met you had sought the assistance of the Atlantean. Nothing has come of that meeting. So what do you now offer Latveria for this deed? Few in the world are honest enough to help you openly; your options are... limited. Now would be a good time for you to keep my interest."

Naturally Dracula would have expected this response from making such a request of Doom. Would his response be implausibly grand, or insultingly low? Victor was curious as to which route the occasionally useful undead 'lord' would seek to get what he wanted.

Beneath them, at ground level, people continued to move back and forth like ants. A few alert security guards seemed to have noticed the presence of someone on the roof of the building though, prompting a brief gesture from Doom to create a shimmering field around them of energy the exact shade of green that Doom was famous for favouring.

"None shall overhear us, nor observe by other means. I give you my word, this conversation is private."

[Gummy]

Dracula perched on the roof a little more comfortably. He wasn't ready for his ace card but he was ready for some of his others. He just needed time to think. It was happening faster than vampires liked. Slow and steady but other pieces were on the move.

"Thank you. You have a country which has people, I have a country that has riches. I know you don't need money or wealth so there is very little I can offer you.."

Vlad stood up and started to pace.

"I have friends who can help if needed but I thought you might like first dibs on favours. You and I both know the value of promises especially how to keep them. I have knowledge you would only dream of, books, scrolls, tombs. I offer you knowledge. I also offer peace, if you wish for it. No fighting, no vampires in your land and none of my spies which I know you know of. As I know of yours in my country. There is a returning player to the game and he is looking for vengeance."

Vlad raised his hand.

"Not me. If there is anything else you wish let me know. All I want is my country to be safe for its people."

[aquarius]

So Dracula was going with underselling his value? Interesting. Especially his claim to know of Doom's spies in his 'country'. Some perhaps, but not all - just the way that the Latverian liked it. Let them react to what they thought they knew, and watch them all the while as they feed you what they want you to think is true.

"So you offer nothing more than others do. I already know of much lore supposedly lost, some even unknown to the Sorcerer Supreme though it is possible you are aware of something lurking in your domain which I am not. But you would prove an amusing distraction for others, especially SHIELD and those who call themselves heroes. On that basis I am tempted to aid you, but I would need... assurances. Firstly, no vampire shall enter Latveria without an invitation from myself. Any vampire detected shall be destroyed on sight. Secondly, you shall not act against either my or my country's interests. Where any doubts may be held, you will discuss the issue with myself before acting. Third, you are no doubt going to get increased attention from the aforementioned self-righteous fools of the world. I would appreciate being kept informed of their efforts relating to you and your minions."

Doom had carefully avoided the word 'lastly' for the final condition he'd spoken. This was to imply that there would be further discussion to refine any such agreement before it was binding in Doom's eyes. For now though, this summary would be a sufficient starting place upon which they could build something more functional. Or not. If Dracula didn't like these terms then Doom frankly didn't care and was ready to leave before this took up any more of his time.

[Gummy]

Dracula listened to the terms and knew there was going to be more. There always was with Doom. As he knew he had other cards up his sleeve himself. There was indeed a section of his library which Strange might also find... interesting.

"The first is fine by me. Humans allowed to do as they normally do but any vampires entering your land are fair game. Most have been told to stay out. If they have a reason to enter then they will have to seek permission first by one of your people? I won't meddle in your or your country's interests, I have kept the boarder peaceful lately haven't I? I will class myself as neutral in all aspects of the above as will my people. Anyone acting against these agreements will be handed over to you or your representative. I am hoping that my country will be left alone and not cause attention. It is time that we all lived in peace at least while the super powers sort themselves out. All this bickering is annoying. SHIELD wants this, X-Men want that, Avengers just want to make sure everybody are under their heels. They never ask us what we want."

Dracula paused for a moment.

"Of course we will have to write this all down and agree on one location which can be... neutral an embassy of sorts? Boarder control?"

Was he giving in too easily? Possibly. This deal needed to go as smoothly as possible. The pressing matter of the person who irked him was bad enough. Dracula reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out very slowly a piece of paper and of all things a beautiful pen. The paper was completely blank but the weight of it showed it was also old.

[aquarius]

So Dracula had clearly expected terms of this kind in advance. They were fairly predictable he had to admit, and Dracula was less of a fool than most that Doom had to deal with. Still, it suggested he had been giving this matter some thought for a reasonable length of time at the very least. He was clearly planning on exploiting the mortal loophole to his first clause, which meant that Doom would know where to be watching for any spies.

A decent point was then made about the status of the heroes of the city which Doom felt was worthy of a response. "Indeed. The Avengers nearly tore themselves apart fighting themselves, maybe they can be turned against others who interfere in our interests. The X-men perhaps, or Inhumans. Keep them busy once more, and they will be unable to prevent our plans from completion."

If Dracula could be manipulated into hatching such a plot, all the better. Either it would succeed and Doom would benefit, or it would fail and Doom would not be implicated. But they would still need somewhere 'neutral' for any such meetings. Where could suffice? Either of their respective territories would automatically be inappropriate, and most countries were likely to object to one or the other. However, there was one place where no country would, indeed could, object to their presence.

"Should we need to meet in person, I would propose... The Moon. Beyond the reach of any authority, and the lowest chance of interference from those who are most prone to interfering without authority to do so."

[Gummy]

Dracula wasn't in it for that he just wanted what he wanted. Then thought about the option of the moon.

"The moon works for us, for others it won't be so good. Perhaps an area of my land could be classed as boarder control. I will sign a deed for both countries to own the land. Large enough for a decent clearing, cabin with facilities under ground for 'emergencies'. We can both have sulvaliance there, plan the building together and thus it could be a good surface location for either to use if we business needs to be a little more civil or we need to send some of our own if we can't be there. Like your doom bots. It will be a strictly no fighting and I think one of your doom bots... with a little tweaking could surface as a guardian. The tweaking being that it doesn't kill, is strictly controlled by neither of us and is there mainly for stopping anything before it starts?"

He let that sink in as he continued to write a few notes and then pull out a small map looking for a location and smiled.

"Anywhere along the boarder would do fine. Just not on the corners with the other places... don't want them trying to get a foot in the door or blowing it up accidently. You know how they can be. For us meeting officially at the UN or unofficially on the moon works well for me."

He looked up at Doom.

"Was there anything else you wish to add to your side of the deal? In exchange on getting Transylvania into the UN."

[aquarius]

It seemed that Dracula was showing his intent, or at least one of them. For strategists of their calibre (not that Dracula was of Doom's calibre - of course none were) no significant negotiation had merely one goal, all was working towards many often unrelated plans.

"There will be no modifications of any Doombot. I can assign some specialist Doomguards, they would prove adequate for security on my part, assuming a border venue akin to the Korean Joint Security Area, where their North and South factions meet. One side of the table on your land, the other on mine. All stay on their own soil at all times. A simple solution for a simple problem."

The Doombot modification was surely a misdirection of course, likely intended to elicit a counteroffer of mere Doomguard robots instead. Whilst less advanced than a Doombot, they could potentially be compromised by an exceptionally talented computer expert. At least a normal one conceivably could. With additional precautions, at least a few could be all but uncorruptible.

"In exchange for this, you will... Owe Doom a favour of his choosing, at a time of his choosing. It shall not go significantly against your own interests or those of your 'people' or lands, and I understand your own code of honour enough to know it would not offend you, just as I know that you will adhere to the letter of our agreement. Given the upheaval this will enact upon the world politics though, it remains to be seen how things will change, and therefore how they can best be exploited. Until called upon, I will avoid manipulating you any more than the fools of the world would expect of me, as I am sure you understand."

This was of course simple truth. Predicting the reactions of most countries would be simple enough, but there were a few that would be... difficult to anticipate, and those were the ones who would shape what the world became. Once it was clear how they were responding, they would be easier to set against each other. America and Wakanda were likely to be the easiest to turn against each other, as always...

[Gummy]

Dracula nodded at the joint security.

"That will work. I'll get the building started when I can."

Then the other thing which Dracula knew was coming and which didn't even get a flinch of a smile from his face. This was long term business which needed to be sorted out as soon as it was at all possible. The sooner the better.

"We stick to our own soil, any trespasses will of course be dealt with as we see fit. When you call upon that favour, please remember there is only so much I can do with regards to schedule. I will not go out and attack someone for you. This may seem odd but my people really don't need any more ... enemies. I will try and aid you as best as possible. If you feel like visiting please let me know in advanced, in case I have guests you might try and kill."

He smiled then with a twinkle in his eyes. He knew fully well what Doom could be like but for the most part Doom was a gentleman. This he was greatful for as there were fewer and fewer of their kind left in the world.

"I'll get the papers written up properly and send them to you as soon as possible. Shall we call tonight's talk an end?"

[aquarius]

It seemed Dracula felt the need to state that which Doom had already assured would not be an issue. A sign of his inferior intellect, naturally. "Doom stated he would not require anything significantly against your interests, and Doom is no fool. Taking as an enemy anyone I consider worthy of plotting against would be... significant. Rest assured, no such demand would be made. You are a politician as well as a force of... 'nature'. The value of a favour from yourself is far more likely to be political in nature than martial."

Doom had a few ideas for the opportunities that could best be furthered by Dracula's subservience, however limited such a state might be. But they would all take more consideration than a few minutes spent face to face with the man. Proper research as to which he could be most easily manipulated into doing anyway - thinking it was his own idea - would be Doom's normal response to any such situation.

"We appear to have no further details to address in such immediate circumstances. The rest can be left for another night, when we have both given the agreement the consideration it deserves. Doom leaves you with one final reminder. Approach my borders, but any who cross into Latveria without the word of Doom shall be forfeit. And I would be... displeased."

With that, Doom turned and walked towards the edge of the building. When he reached the edge, his green field began to shrink back in towards them. He turned to look at Dracula briefly, speaking one last time. "No doubt in a minute or two, there will be mundane security and heroes alike swarming all over this roof. I assume you have the means to leave no sign you were here."

With that said, Doom returned his gaze to the city, and with a final blaze of magical energies, he vanished.