[Plot] Down But Not Out

[Nika Novak]

While Doom is fast approaching with Jez in tow, Nika has shaken off what sedation they'd put her under after they fished the bullet out of her shoulder and patched her up. The moment the realization of what happened cuts through the anesthetic haze she shoots out of bed, yanking off the pulse monitor in the process which results in a lot of angry beeping and a nurse rushing into the room as Nika is busy pulling out her IV drip and various stuff that's tethering her to the hospital bed. The poor nurse's objections fall on deaf ears and advancing on her only makes a pen, the torn off end of the IV and other bits hang threateningly in the air while she pulls on her pants and steps in her boots, throwing off the hospital gown to shrug on her dress shirt, not bothering to button it right now as she gathers the rest of her belongings.

[Victor Von Doom]

And that's when the Monarch and Supreme Leader of Latveria walked through the door, flanked by the the hussy who had stolen Katarina's heart! An insidious alliance!

[Nika Novak]

And just like that any remaining drowsiness along with any planning is flushed out of her body by a generous helping of adrenaline. Doom. With Jez in tow. Visitor's badge. Here officially. Either browbeat or convinced Jez. Last thing she needed right now. Could be a decoy. Treating him as a decoy is a surefire way to get yourself killed for lack of respect or being caught off-guard. Never, ever underestimate Victor von Doom.

Her train of thought ends with her whole body tensing up like a steel cable and her suspended ammunition one by one dropping to the floor as she has to force herself to relinquish her power's grip on it one by one, which is the exact opposite of what her gut tells her to do.

"Doom." she says, managing to press equal measures of respect and disdain into that single syllable.

[Victor Von Doom]

"Bodyguard," Doom replied, with the air of someone who wanted it to appear like he couldn't even be bothered to remember her name. "I see you still live."

[Nika Novak]

"Yes." Honored and terrified he's aware of my existence. "Considering my duty I have to ask: Was Her Highness abducted on your orders?"

[Victor Von Doom]

"If I had wanted to abduct the Princess, I would have done it long ago, and with someone less ineffective than a boy-prince. I would have thought even the Symkarian Royal Guard would have been able to stop something such as that. I continue to overestimate you."

[Nika Novak]

"I would have, if the Princess hadn't decided to eschew her safety and insisted on more time to herself." she says in a tone that makes it abundantly clear it wasn't time 'alone'. The brief glare past Doom at Jezabelle doesn't help.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jez was learning not to speak unless spoken to when it came to Dr. Doom. It's not like he was the kind of guy you wanted to make small-talk with. Still she crossed her arms and glared back at Nika, her expression suggesting that now was not the time to open that can of worms. Not with the current audience.

[Victor Von Doom]

"It is scarcely possible for the Princess' nocturnal activities to interest me less.

You are fit enough to follow the trail, one presumes?"

[Nika Novak]

"For Katarina? Always."

[Victor Von Doom]

"I believe the Concubine needed something from Katarina's room? I presume you still have access, unless you have fallen so far out of her favor.

And then we shall alight to my private jet. Much faster than the Quinjets of which you are so proud."

[Nika Novak]

"And this is all motivated by neighborly concern for her Highness?" Nika asks dubiously as she finishes buttoning up her shirt.

[Victor Von Doom]

"Would YOU want someone as feeble as Prince Alex on your neighbor's throne?"

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jez held her tongue still. She'd fill Nika in on what she needed once she was certain that she wasn't going to interrupt Dr. Doom.

[Nika Novak]

"No, but it would be presumptuous of me to assume to know what the Great Doom wants." To her credit, she manages to keep any sarcasm out of her voice. She's no diplomat, but there's a reason why 'Facing Doom 101' is an actual class anybody with any rank in the Symkarian military gets to sit through.

[Victor Von Doom]

"It would indeed. I see you know your appropriate place. That is good. Perhaps we will get through this, after all."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jez subtly moved closer to Nika, intending to whisper to her once Doom decided he was ready to go.

[Victor Von Doom]

Doom strode through the door, dramatically.

Well, at least he had learned to use the door.

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

Jez leaned in toward Nika in an effort to try and be unheard by Dr. Doom as she followed.

"For the record, this was NOT my idea."

[Nika Novak]

"Oh really, you didn't have the clout to call on Doctor Doom? This is insane. Please tell me you have another you somewhere else he doesn't know about?"

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"Well, yes. But if I get too far away I'm gonna go poof." Jez clarified. "And I'm gonna need some new clothes. People in Symkaria don't dress like this, do they?" She asked, referring to her jeans and hoodie.

[Nika Novak]

"That is what you need from Katarina's room? Clothes? Good god Sherlock, you have some balls telling Doom to wait so you can dress more appropriately."

[Jezabelle Sherlock]

"He made it VERY clear that things have to be kept on the down low. I'm guessing Symkaria doesn't get many American tourists."

[Nika Novak]

"Alright, alright, let's get you some of Katarina's clothes." Nika relents as they follow Doom to the dorm.