urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir Kristoff Vernard, aka Kristoff Von Doom rahne42@hotmail.com Kristoff Vernard, aka Kristoff Von Doom 2010-03-31T09:00:59Z urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:5582 2010-03-31T08:58:51Z 2010-03-31T09:00:59Z "Sue. <i>Sue</i>," Storm said insistently. Even sitting in the next room, staring quietly at his own hands, Kristoff can hear him. "Sorry to interrupt your urge to get the kid milk and cookies or something, but how do we know this isn't a trap? Maybe all that happened yesterday was some elaborate--"<br /><br />"For Heaven's sake, Johnny, did you <i>look</i> at the boy?" Mrs. Richards irritation with her brother was clearly impeding her volume control, as well. "In all the times we've seen him, when have you ever known him to be able to <i>act</i>? He's never been able to lie outright to get an advantage that we've ever seen; so he couldn't look like his heart was crushed if it weren't crushed. And we've got to consider our responsibilities in the situation. Not even <i>dealing</i> with any implied obligation from ties of blood."<br /><br />"The boy must probably be even <i>less</i> comfortable with the possibility of our being half-brothers than I am, Susan," Dr. Richards finally, awkwardly, adds to the discussion. "If he even knows."<br /><br />Well, he does now. And Kristoff Vernard <s>Von Doom</s>, age fifteen, who had previously thought it would be nearly impossible for anything here to make him feel more empty or more broken...does. urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:5165 2010-02-22T11:15:21Z 2010-02-22T11:15:21Z "And how's Vincent?"<br />"Also fine, thank you, albeit complaining incessantly about the seventh grade."<br />"How's everyone else at the Baxter Building."<br />"Quite well, thank you. Mrs. Richards in particular sends her regards and hopes the two of you bring the baby soon."<br />Cassandra smiles beautifully and says that of course they will. Then, at last, <i>he</i> speaks up.<br />"I read your paper on abstract topological dynamics in the MSRI journal. Nice work."<br />Kristoff manages a polite thank you. Normally any mention of abstract topological dynamics could get him animated and alive as nothing but Latveria <s>or Cassandra</s> normally could. But he can't. Somehow, Nate would manage to take the beauty of mathematics away from him, too.<br /><br />The most pathetic thing of all was that he, Kristoff Vernard, had helped them figure out the way to avoid the timeline/predestination problem. He could deny her nothing. Not even Nate. urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:4928 2010-02-22T10:36:22Z 2010-02-22T10:39:45Z Kristoff was up late with the blueprints of the new water treatment plant. Then he can get back to work on his renovations of the public irrigation system in the northern hills.<br /><br />The Master has been completely supportive of all Kristoff's little pet projects. It kept him from having to worry about dealing with any such rather petty matters himself, or delegating them to fools. Improvements in the national infrastructure are certainly sped up when those put in charge of such things weren't too terrified to try something new. Or, well, just terrified in general, really. Kristoff could probably still be considered the one man in Latveria who actually loves Doom <i>more</i> than he fears him. But then, a son should. And Kristoff is certainly respected for it. Perhaps a great deal of people feared Kristoff a little, too, but respect was something of which he had plenty.<br /><br />He goes to a particular spot on the outskirts of the city every Saturday, and, under a particular tree, talks about his week: the various civil engineering projects, the minor political nonsense, the renovations he hopes to suggest to the local university curriculum, and his mathematical research. He knows that even if his mother is somehow listening at her grave, she wouldn't know what the Fields Medal actually is, but he feels she'd be proud anyway (the Master finds it amusing, and generally treats the matter as if Kristoff had been given a shiny toy by a passel of schoolchildren). <br /><br />There are some things he realizes he's missing. He's never seemed to meet the right girl, for one thing. He's gotten a little better at handling new people in terms of business and politics, but things are still awkward socially. His status certainly doesn't help encourage any sort of casual comfort, or help to cultivate feelings Kristoff refuses to settle for less than. Considering that at 28, he has not been kissed since the age of 12, Kristoff has to admit that a normal family life is not likely. Perhaps he, in turn, will adopt, eventually. But he smiles, as he reflects on the fact that in Latveria, orphans are so very hard to come by. As well they should be. urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:4672 2009-12-06T03:13:32Z 2009-12-07T09:41:31Z <a name="cutid1"></a><br />1. What is your full name? Do you have a nickname?<br />Kristoff Vernard <s>Von Doom</s> and most emphatically No.<br /><br />2. How old are you? When is your birthday?<br />28. 17th of October<br /><br />3. Where were you born? Where do you live now? Are you patriotic?<br />The northern hills of Latveria, New York City, and yes.<br /><br />4. Who are/were your parents? (Names, occupations, personalities, etc.)<br />My mother was Mirela Vernard. She was an herbalist, and she never harmed anyone in her life.<br />My natural father is Nathaniel Richards I, a traveler, although I was not aware of this until I was in my teens.<br />Victor von Doom, the Master of Latveria, adopted me between the ages of five and fifteen.<br /><br />5. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?<br />I have several genetic half-siblings, most of whom are fine people, but it is difficult to consider them 'family'. I believe they, especially Dr. Richards, are equally uncomfortable with the subject.<br /><br />Vincent Amorason is my brother by consensus. I have been told he serves as cosmic justice for the arrogance of my childhood.<br /><br />6. What is your occupation? I am a research scientist and emergency-management specialist.<br /><br />7. How tall are you? How much do you weigh? 6'1" 185 lbs.<br /><br />8. What color is your hair? What color are your eyes? Dark.<br /><br />9. What is your race? Baseline human. Rom.<br /><br />10. To which social class do you belong? I have no idea, having been born impoverished, raised to privilege, and removed from it, but I am very adequately financially independent.<br /><br />11. Do you consider yourself to be attractive? Do others?<br /><br />I believe I look good enough. Cassandra apparently concurs. That is what matters.<br /><br />12. What is your style of dress?<br />Neat.<br /><br />13. Do you have any scars? Tattoos? Birthmarks? Other unique physical features?<br />nothing noticeable.<br /><br />14. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?<br />None beyond baseline humanity in the circles in which I travel.<br /><br />15. Are you right- or left-handed?<br />Right, though I favor my left for a few tasks.<br /><br />16. What does your voice sound like?<br />Baritone<br /><br />17. What kind of vocabulary do you use?<br />Fairly precise.<br /><br />18. List three quirks or other defining characteristics.<br />English is my third language; I have three doctoral degrees, and I sometimes sing Leslie Fish songs to myself when concentrating on particular things.<br /><br /><br />19. How often do you bathe? Do you wear perfumes? <br />Regularly, and no.<br /><br />20. What kind of facial expression do you commonly wear (dour glare, wry smile, etc)?<br />I really could not say.<br /><br />21. Do you use body language? How?<br />Not much.<br /><br />22. Do you have a commonly used saying?<br />Not to my immediate knowledge.<br /><br />Childhood<br /><br />23. What is your earliest memory? Packing up to move to Doomstadt.<br /><br />24. How much schooling have you had? Did you enjoy it? <br />I had a private tutor from five to eight. At eight she was...no longer relevant. But I continued various mathematical and scientific work and general reading whenever possible from then throughout my teens, until such time as I started work on my doctorates.<br /><br />I enjoyed most of my education very much.<br /><br />25. Where did you learn most of your knowledge and skill?<br />Dr. Doom.<br /><br />26. How would you describe your childhood in general?<br />Eventful.<br /><br />27. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?<br />It varied. I hoped both for the opportunity to travel and to make myself useful.<br /><br />28. When and with whom was your first kiss?<br />Cassandra. I suppose it depends upon which attempt counts.<br /><br />29. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?<br />No. Cassandra.<br /><br />30. Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? Does that affect you?<br />I was raised by the greatest monarch in Latverian history, who also happens to be feared throughout the world as a supervillain.<br /><br />Influences<br /><br />31. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?<br />Important is hard to define. Had I never been adopted, for instance, I would never have done anything that came after.<br /><br />32. What do you consider your greatest achievement?<br />Cassandra is my wife.<br /><br />33. What is your greatest regret?<br />I cannot visit my mother's grave.<br /><br />34. What is the most embarrassing or shameful thing ever to happen to you?<br />Exile.<br /><br />35. Do you have any secrets? If so, what are they?<br />My own<br /><br />36. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?<br />The period when I was 8 was fairly complicated.<br /><br />37. When was the time you were the most frightened?<br />Every time Cassandra has required hospitalization.<br /><br />38. Have you ever traveled outside of your country? If so, to where?<br /><i>Everywhere</i>.<br /><br />Beliefs<br /><br />39. What is your alignment?<br />If I understand the question correctly, I am quite 'lawful'.<br /> <br />40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?<br />Entirely circumstantial<br /><br />41. Do you believe in a god? If so, which one and why?<br />I am aware of many gods but not in a religious sense.<br /><br />42. Do you believe in an afterlife?<br />In the possibility of the immortality of the soul, yes. I am certainly very familiar with at least one case.<br /><br />43. What is your greatest fear?<br />Harm to my family.<br /><br />44. What makes you angry? Sad? Happy? Why?<br />Willful stupidity, loss, and the people I love.<br /><br />45. Do you think people are basically good or basically evil?<br />I think that people are basically remarkably unwise.<br /><br />46. What are your views on politics? Religion? Sex?<br />No one wants to hear my views on politics. I have no views on religion. Sex should be a private matter between consenting adults.<br /><br />47. What are your views on gambling, lying, theft, and killing?<br />Risky by definition, Dishonorable, Dishonorable in most situations, and in very poor taste.<br /><br />48. How far will you go to defend your beliefs?<br />Thousands of miles from home for the rest of my life, apparently.<br /><br />49. How much do you value money?<br />Acquiring a great deal of it has not only ensured my own comfort, but my ability to take care of my brother. ...Of course, it also ensured that he would never have to pay attention to...anything. I admit potential drawbacks. On the whole, however, useful.<br /><br />50. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?<br />I am tempted to say shoot an innocent person in the back, but that is admittedly biased.<br /><br />51. Do you believe in self-sacrifice for the greater good?<br />Yes. Mostly.<br /><br />52. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?<br />Yes.<br /><br />53. Are you superstitious?<br />I am reasonably well-versed in the supernatural<br /><br />54. How much do you respect the beliefs and opinions of others?<br />I will certainly extend <i>courtesy</i> to the beliefs of others, but respect takes more.<br /><br />55. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings?<br />Reasonably.<br /><br />56. Do you have any biases or prejudices?<br />I do not take easily to the company of strangers.<br /><br />Dealing With Others<br /><br />57. Who is the most important person in your life, and why?<br />Cassandra and Vincent are both excessively important to me, as is Scotty.<br /><br />58. Who is the person you respect the most? Despise the most? Why?<br />I decline to answer these questions.<br /><br />59. Do you have a significant other? Who?<br />My wife, Cassandra Lang.<br /><br />60. Do you have a lot of friends? Who is your best friend?<br />I do not have a lot of friends. Cassandra, Vincent, and Andrea would be the closest.<br /><br />61. How do you relate to members of the same race? Class? Sex?<br />I do not relate particularly well with people unless I know them well or am familiar with their academic work.<br /><br />62. How do you relate to members of a different race? Class? Sex?<br />See above. Although I am able to mind my manners slightly better with women, for some reason.<br /><br />63. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.<br />In one sense or another, to one degree or another, I have loved Cassandra since the moment I first set eyes on her.<br /><br />64. What do you look for in a potential lover?<br />I no longer have any need to look for potential.<br /><br />65. How close are you to your family?<br />To my genetic family, I am either distant, professionally cordial, or friendly, depending on the members involved. One exceptionally distant genetic relative has my undying hatred.<br /><br />I am close with my brother and my wife and stepson.<br /><br />66. Do you want a marriage, family, and/or children?<br />I have wanted that desperately for quite some time, and have recently acquired it.<br /><br />67. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?<br />It depends very much upon the people, and on the necessity of the point. <br /><br />68. Are you a listener or a talker?<br />It depends on the circumstances.<br /><br />69. How long does it usually take for you to trust others?<br />It depends on the circumstances, but not excessively long.<br /><br />70. Do you hold grudges?<br />On occasion.<br /><br />71. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?<br />Not unless necessary.<br /><br />72. Do you like interacting with large groups of people?<br />No.<br /><br />73. How well do you express yourself?<br />Fairly well.<br /><br />74. How quickly do you judge others?<br />Quite.<br /><br />75. Do you care what others think of you?<br />Only a few<br /><br />76. Do you have any enemies? How or why are they your enemy?.<br />The former ruling house of Latveria, were any left. The common enemies of the Fantastic Four. Kang the Conqueror.<br /><br />Personal Taste and Opinions<br /><br />77. What is your favorite pastime? Color? Food? Possession?<br />Higher-dimension mathematics. Green. Peaches. My armor was recently usurped in that position by my wedding ring.<br /><br />78. What are your preferences in arts and/or entertainment?<br />I enjoy films with Goldman screenplays and the music of Leslie Fish.<br /><br />79. Do you smoke, drink, go whoring, or use drugs? Why or why not?<br />I enjoy brandy on occasion. Otherwise, no.<br /><br />80. How do you spend a typical Saturday night?<br />With Cassandra.<br /><br />81. What is your most cherished fantasy?<br />No longer a matter of speculation. <s>Possibly replaced by being forgiven</s><br /><br />82. How long is your attention span?<br />Quite adequate.<br /><br />83. Do you laugh a lot? What do you find funny?<br />I do not laugh a lot.<br /><br />84. Is there anything that shocks or offends you? If so, what?<br />Many things.<br /><br />85. How do you deal with stress?<br />In the lab (whether productively or destructively)<br /><br />86. How much athletic ability do you have? Artistic?<br />Moderate and hardly any, respectively.<br /><br />87. Do you like animals? Do you like children?<br />Well enough.<br /><br />88. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?<br />I prefer to have a plan.<br /><br />89. What are your pet peeves?<br />Poor grammar. Poor posture. Disregard for qualifications.<br /><br />Self-Image<br /><br />90. What is your greatest strength as a person? Weakness?<br />Honor and ...I find it difficult to articulate. A general..insufficiency.<br /><br />91. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?<br />I am not certain.<br /><br />92. Are you generally introverted or extroverted?<br />Introverted<br /><br />93. Do you like yourself?<br />Yes.<br /><br />94. Do you have a daily routine? How do you feel if your day is interrupted?<br />It can be frustrating, but I am used to it.<br /><br />95. What goal do you most want to accomplish in the next six months? Your lifetime?<br />Six months: Properly organizing potential eventualities for taking care of Cassandra and Scotty.<br />My lifetime: Continued care of my family and anything that can be done for the safety and stability of Latveria.<br /><br />96. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?<br />5 : Much the same as now, except possibly with a <s>sister</s> sibling for Scotty if Cassandra is interested and the risk to her health would not be too great.<br />10: Arranging Scotty's higher education<br />20: In the process of retiring from work in the Fantastic Four and focusing more on research and Cassandra.<br /><br />97. If you could choose, how would you want to die?<br />Of old age <s>in Latveria</s>.<br /><br />98. What is the one thing you would like to be remembered for after your death?<br />Having been useful, I suppose.<br /><br />99. What three words would you use to best describe your personality?<br />Faithful. Intellectual. Uncomfortable.<br /><br />100. What three words would others probably use to describe you?<br />I really wouldn't know.<br /><br />101. Why are you risking your life to adventure?<br />In some cases, heroism is a passion. In mine, it is simply good manners. urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:4563 2009-11-13T06:02:06Z 2009-11-13T06:02:06Z To: Saint Nicholas<br /><br />Regarding: What I want for Christmas<br /><br />I have no requests except a good and safe December for my family.<br />As of mid-November, I have everything I want.<br /><br />Dr. Kristoff Vernard urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:3978 2009-09-26T23:11:26Z 2009-09-26T23:15:01Z Mama was on the table. Kristoff sat close, but he remembered what she'd always said -- it wasn't good to touch the body any more than you had to. It was like watching her sleep, but he knew better. He might not be quite six yet, but he wasn't a baby.<br /><br />Kristoff looked out the window. If he looked far enough, he could see the remains of the secret police lying in the street. The Master'd done that. And he said he would...<br /><br />The news traveled quickly down the street, voices shouting "The Usurper is Dead." <br /><br />For the first time in the past few hours, little Kristoff Vernard <i>smiled</i>.<br /><br />Some time later, He came back. "Kristoff, was it?"<br /><br />"Yes, Master."<br /><br />"Who is your father?"<br /><br />Kristoff shook his head. "He was one of Mama's patients, Sir. I never met him."<br /><br />"I see. As it happens, I have no son. I believe we can come to an arrangement. Let us gather your mother's things to burn at the funeral. Then I shall take you home." He offered a gauntleted hand, and Kristoff took it. urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:3825 2009-08-31T01:04:31Z 2009-09-01T06:58:54Z Scotty Lang had been faced with a lot of news to take in lately. Kristoff wanted to give him the chance to talk a little more if he wanted to.<br /><br />So, naturally, the thing to do was to Scotty-proof the lab as much as possible -- the state of a place's being completely Scotty-proofed was quite elusive -- get out the quite broken DVD player and some spare parts, and invite Scotty in to help fix it. With the usual necessary stipulation that he did not recommend dissecting appliances in any other room of the house, they got to work.<br /><br />And with screwdrivers in hand,they talk. About things that Kristoff says shouldn't have to be Scotty's problem. About the importance of using the right tools for the right scale of work whenever possible. About the fact that Kang didn't hurt people when he was with Scotty's mother; that she'd never allow that. About the relative efficiency of different wiring. About how much Scotty and his mother matter to Kristoff and why that little cracked bit was important.<br /><br />Scotty beams when the close it up, plug it in, and declare it functional. Kristoff hugs him. urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:3486 2009-08-28T07:47:55Z 2009-08-28T07:50:39Z He carefully takes the sheet of loose-leaf paper out of its file. Her last letter. He checks the date. Again. It has been four times as long as it has ever taken her to write back before.<br /><br />Is it an oversight, or does she want to discontinue communicating? Does she have a boyfriend again? If he keeps writing without any response, does that make him a fool?<br /><br />Word came: the Master wanted to see him. He carefully put the letter in its folder and on its shelf before hurrying eagerly to answer the summons.<br /><br />A year later, after Kristoff had, by some possible interpretations, bitten the hand that fed him and had to abandon all worldly possessions save his armor, he occasionally reflected on that treasured little archive and wished he had it still. But of course, it was hard to dwell on that when the author wished him to join her at the park next week. urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:3242 2009-08-10T04:58:53Z 2009-08-10T05:22:40Z It was a perfectly pleasant morning, and twenty-year-old Kristoff Vernard sat going through things on his desk. First, the finished paperwork for the publication of his third -- and probably final, he supposed -- doctoral dissertation. He'd enjoyed mathematics the most of any of them. It was odd; Doom had never taken much interest in abstract topological dynamics, but Kristoff found it....<i>fun</i>.<br /><br />Second, the check for those latest safety-equipment designs. He made a note to invest it appropriately. Some of it would have to go to shopping for Vincent; the boy was outgrowing clothes and shoes already. <br /><br />Third, the newspaper, which he looked over with mild interest -- until he got to page A22. It wasn't a page he tended to study thoroughly, but there was a picture. The subjects were...not apparently in mortal peril or under duress. The cut-line merely read 'Iron Lad and Stature: Heroically giving us something to talk about.'<br /><br />Kristoff stared at it for exactly twelve minutes before putting the paper down, and walking to his lab.<br /><br />Fortunately, none of his works-in-progress at the time were important. urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:2920 2009-08-03T19:45:45Z 2009-08-03T19:47:49Z [Painfully neatly lettered on cotton-fiber paper, folded with a wax seal. A tiny note on the exterior says 'Lang, there is nothing dangerous in here. My word.']<br /><br />Dear Cassandra,<br /><br />After a great deal of complications, I am finally home. I hope that you are well, and that your father does not have any particularly irritating complaints about your receiving mail from Latveria. The castle is much as ever, except for a few thefts and sabotage of the security systems. Fortunately, Dr. Doom and I have dealt with Nathaniel Richards's transmat receivers, so it will not happen again. <br />I hope your father and his colleagues are all in good health. If nothing interferes with your answering this letter, I would be interested in hearing how school is going. My own current studies involve mathematical research which I fear would bore you.<br />I wish you could see the city, but I realize you will probably not be able to come to Latveria at any point in the foreseeable future. I do not know when I will be able to see you again, but I hope to someday.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Kristoff. urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:2675 2009-07-26T03:08:33Z 2009-07-26T03:10:44Z Kristoff Vernard was nine years old, and everything was <i>finally</i> back to normal. He knew who he was properly again. The Master was done with his dimensionwinding travels -- and it was really him for certain, and Kristoff was privileged to be the only one furnished with proof. And life was quiet and happy again in the castle.<br /><br />He was reading a book on Goedel when he noticed someone was in the room. He looked over. urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:2530 2009-07-22T05:08:06Z 2009-07-22T05:08:06Z It had frustrated Doom, letting them walk away like that. But in these <i>particular</i> circumstances, any other action would be beneath him. Doom could wait for another time. That was the kind of Great Man he was. Kristoff loved him so much.<br /><br />Kristoff, as usual, was as much of service as he could be in all the minor matters that needed attending to in the aftermath. Once it was all done, it was explained that there was something important he needed to be told, someone he needed to meet. That there would be a few changes and that Doom was confident Kristoff would deal with them in a satisfactory manner. High praise from the Master of Latveria.<br /><br />Kristoff dressed for dinner and arrived early...to find more place settings than usual, and his own usual chair...occupied. urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:2254 2009-07-14T22:34:47Z 2009-07-15T00:48:09Z 12 Years ago:<br />"I fail to see how any of these questions relate to analyzing the conditioning, Doctor. My apologies for your being called in needlessly; I should obviously be speaking to a neurologist."<a name="cutid1"></a><br /><br />"There's a lot more to 'conditioning' than having a lot of wires stuck in your brain, Kristoff."<br /><br />"That is the only part I need to discuss with anyone, thank you, since there could be unknown safety concerns. The rest is --"<br />"Is worrying Sue quite a bit at the moment. Did you argue with her about this? Or...let me guess....A Von Doom Does Not pick fights with his hostess?"<br />"I do not need any claim to the name to have standards of appropriate behavior, Dr. Samson."<br />"Very true."<br />"If I did not have Standards, I would not be in this country again."<br />"I believe you."<br />"...Good."<br />"Do you consider this just a temporary imposition on the Four? Like when you were younger?"<br />"He was <i>missing</i> then; he did not..." Kristoff, unable to finish the sentence, simply scowled. "I am aware of the consequences of my actions, if that is what you are asking! I do not expect him to promptly forgive me."<br />"Good. Because it's not going to happen."<br /><br />A pause.<br /><br />"I believe the half-hour I agreed to speak with you is up."<br />"I believe it is. But I'll see you Thursday, Kristoff."<br /><br /><br />11 years, 11 months ago:<br /><br />"So...Latveria has a new potential-future-Master."<br />"Yes. I have a... little brother, after a fashion. I doubt I will ever meet him again."<a name="cutid2"></a><br />"How did you feel when you did meet him?"<br />"There was a lot to deal with at the time."<br />"Yes, definitely, but what did you think of that part?"<br />Kristoff paused for a moment. "He had the cape. With the royal insignia at the clasp. Otherwise, it was some of the same things I always wore." <br />...To be entirely honest, Leonard had assumed they'd be talking about the getting-shot part. How silly of him.<br />"Do you think this kid'll end up in all the same situations you did?"<br />"Do not be absurd!" Kristoff responded automatically, "The Master of Latveria never just duplicates a failure." A pause. "Never repeats a failed plan, I mean."<br />"I think I know exactly what you meant, Kristoff."<br /><br /><br />11 years, 10 months, 12 days ago.<br /><br />"Speaking of the potential threat to the Fantastic Four...and Doom's intentions...and why you're here...can we talk about what impression you may have gotten about Ben and Johnny's opinions?" <a name="cutid3"></a><br /><br />"Subtlety is not among their gifts," the boy said drily.<br /><br />"Everything short of humming 'My Heart Belongs to Daddy,' then? How do you feel about that."<br /><br />"Contemptuous. Which I am sure you have been informed is the usual default."<br /><br />"It must be a bit difficult, not only considering that you've worked with them, but that you got yourself disowned for them."<br /><br />"It was not <i>about</i> them!" Kristoff snapped.<br /><br />"All right. It wasn't. You just couldn't let him lower himself to doing that. ...It also wasn't the only time you'd disrupted his plans a bit, yes? There'd been a few cases, mostly out of your control, but..."<br /><br />"Yes, there were a few instances in which I got in the way, caused him difficulties. During...a certain occasion, I even attacked him physically. He always forgave me."<br /><br />"But not this time."<br /><br />"No, not this time."<br /><br />"Why not this time, do you suppose?"<br /><br />Kristoff shrugged slightly. "Because it was too willful? Because of the accusation to his honor?...Because he has a son now?"<br /><br />"I'm pretty sure he's had a son for ten years. But you think he might have forgiven you again if the new model wasn't available?"<br /><br />A long pause. "...I do not know."<br /><br /><br />Eight years, four months ago.<br /><br />"It's been a while since we last touched base."<br />"Yes."<a name="cutid4"></a><br />"Got a brother living with you now."<br />"Yes. Before you ask anything, Dr. Samson, or get any ideas, let me state that I am quite aware that caring for Vincent will in no way encourage His Father to forgive me."<br />"I wasn't going to say it."<br />"...Good."<br />"Can't be easy, though. Living with someone who <i>could</i> go back and doesn't <i>want</i> to."<br />Kristoff was silent.<br />"I <i>have</i> heard what happened, by the way. Telling Doom No again probably wasn't easy either."<br />"Not particularly. The injuries were relatively mild, however."<br />"Yeah, sure. No regrets, though?"<br />"...That my country will need another eventual backup plan, I suppose, is regrettable, but he was too young to be of real use to Latveria at this point anyway."<br />"Way out of my field there."<br /><br />Seven years ago.<br /><br />"So...'Iron Lad,' huh?"<a name="cutid5"></a><br />"It is a fairly stupid name, yes."<br />"Armored supergenius."<br />"Yes."<br />"Sounds a bit familiar."<br />"That isn't funny."<br />"No, it isn't. Your relationship was pretty off and on to begin with? Same could happen here. Not like she's told you to leave New York and never come back..."<br />"Still not amused, Doctor Samson."<br />"Don't expect you to be." Beat. "I'm also no expert on deities, but if it helps, I really doubt a shiny new big brother will be swooping in to take your place in <i>that</i> department any time soon."<br />"...Hmph. A valid point." urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:1856 2009-07-02T10:54:21Z 2009-07-02T19:36:17Z For three years, Kristoff had tried to carefully put things into perspective. He'd been exiled, but he'd done what he felt honor required, and he would live with the consequences. He'd been...replaced, but he needed to not resent the replacement. Resenting a small child would be ridiculous; he'd probably go mad.<br />It was really, the more he thought about it, more appropriate to feel for the boy a little; being the heir of Doom wasn't always easy, and Kristoff ought to know. So he tried to just hope his...little brother, as it were (Doom had had one heir, now he had another, what else <i>should</i> one call it without bitter, irrational reproach?), would manage all right, for Doom's sake, for - eventually - the country's, and for the boy's own.<br /><br />Then the call had come that Vincent was now a runaway in New York. Of course. How ironic. There was very little, deep down, that Kristoff wanted more than to be back in Latveria, and here was the replacement model, his more favored brother, apparently eager to leave it.<br />Kristoff's responsibility was clear. His sense of duty was already keen enough, but he knew there was more. The longing for <i>anything</i> of home.<br />And the more he saw of him, and the more he talked to him (or was talked at by him), ohhh, the boy was a Von Doom, all right, whatever his name and his hostilities. Poised -- when not falling over a chair -- and clearly talented and bold as brass. Somewhat like Kristoff at that age, though with many obvious differences. And Kristoff wanted so much to help. Despite his bravado, Vincent needed to be cared for, and despite his own Kristoff yearned desperately to be needed.<br />He carefully made sure he wouldn't be tripping some little spell before he snuck into the room adjacent to his own, one night a few weeks after he'd made Vincent's welfare his concern. The eight-year-old's face, particularly asleep, was so vulnerable. Kristoff was quite careful not to wake him; neither the boy's current paranoia nor his constant pride could possibly bear that.<br />But Kristoff watched. And resolved. Over his dead body was anything going to happen to the brilliant little brat. urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:1769 2009-06-03T19:54:26Z 2009-06-03T21:10:25Z Kristoff is 6. He misses Mama, but he's happy in the castle. So many books. So much to hear about. And the Master is <i>wonderful</i>. He couldn't ask for a better parent. If only Kristoff knew what <i>all</i> the wrong things were, so he could know when to stop talking...<br /><br />Kristoff is 8, and He Is Doom --- wait. No he isn't. How absolutely shameful to have been <i>impersonating</i> him.<br /><br />Kristoff is 12. Earlier today, he applied knowledge --Doom's knowledge -- of optical heterodyne detection in a new way and disrupted the neural disarrator that was...presenting a significant annoyance for the Master. Now, Doom's taking just a moment amidst other things to say it was quick thinking. Kristoff feels so proud. He's a good son.<br /><br />Kristoff is 15, and he's soundproofed his room in the Baxter Building because he can't stop crying, and they <i>must not know</i>.<br /><br />Kristoff is 18. He's learned how to make malted milkshakes. He'd only really ever had one once before, with Cassandra, years ago. But he'd gotten the hang of them quite easily, and they were a reasonably good thing over which to sit with Vincent and discuss the fact that Some Things Just Are Not Done. Many things, in fact.<br /><br />Kristoff is 22, and looking up at his beloved Cassandra as she explains she is 'not ready'. He schools his face to salvage his dignity.<br /><br />Kristoff is 24. He's reading over his soon-to-be-published article on complex projective manifolds -- he's fairly certain not a shred of it came from programmed knowledge, but he doesn't really expect anyone to believe that -- when the phone rings. Designated tone for the high school. Probably just another minor infraction or disturbing a skittish faculty member, but despite experience and knowledge of his brother's capabiities, Kristoff can never quite help the little surge of concern for Vincent's safety.<br /><br />Kristoff is 39*. His hair is already filled with grey. He blames the Richards blood and fools like the one to whom he is speaking. "Why?" he asks. "You are going to do it because it is the right thing to do, because it is very economically viable, but most of all, because <i>I told you to</i>, and as much as <i>I</i> do not wish to interrupt whatever Vincent may be doing right now, I can assure you that <i>you</i> want me to do so much, much less."<br />That's done now. It's good to be the Master of Latveria's big brother.<br /><br />*Not, of course, inevitable. urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:1401 2009-05-22T08:19:27Z 2009-05-22T08:53:52Z Sometimes I think that if I had to choose my greatest failing as an elder brother it would be how he managed to start entertaining <i>potentially problematic guests</i> without my noticing. But the abruptly-needed -- shall we say Assistance? -- with the lockpicks was certainly amusing. But never really helped him develop a lesson in (I must forgive myself the pun) restraint. <br /><br /><s>And sometimes I think my greatest failing is that when I was 15, I did not somehow get up afterward, manage to grab him, and <i>then</i> run.</s> urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:1177 2009-05-14T11:37:47Z 2009-05-14T23:00:47Z Kristoff would, when asked by <i>certain</i> parties about how well he thought the past three months had gone, say that at least the mechanically and magically locked-down padded cell in the basement hadn't been necessary.<br /><br />In truth? He'd come to absolutely <i>adore</i> his high-handed, defiant little brother. It still wasn't clear if Vincent had come to accept the term, but Kristoff didn't -- well, he <i>cared</i>, but he could live with even being considered some sort of castoff servant with weird issues for the time being, if that was what was going on in the much-younger boy's mind. Kristoff would still be his brother.<br /><br />It was a quiet afternoon. The Richardses had taken their children on a family outing for the day. Grimm was settling into the home he had recently acquired for his 'retirement'. Storm had a date. Quiet indeed.<br /><br />But then something was happening in the lobby. He pulled up the appropriate screens and, just for a moment, froze.<br /><br />Then Kristoff headed straight down there. urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:902 2009-05-12T12:40:19Z 2009-05-12T12:40:19Z Kristoff Vernard Von Doom is fifteen years old. Fifteen, and frightened, and guilty.<br /><br />But he couldn't let him do it. The Master of Latveria had always valued his honor. Kristoff just could not have stood right there as he sullied it by killing the Fantastic Four <i>that</i> way. When they were effectively helpless and had only been trying to help. It had been a clear violation of the makeshift truce -- in spirit anyway. Possibly not to the letter; possibly Kristoff had <i>missed</i> something...<br /><br />At any rate, Kristoff's pleading protestations, his <i>interference</i>, had bought the Four the time to get away, earlier. And now he stood, his mask off and clasped in his hands behind his back, looking at the floor. Waiting for his sovereign and his guardian, whom he loves very much, to say something. urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:575 2009-05-12T08:15:26Z 2009-05-12T08:20:17Z Seem to have made a playlist of Doom Family Dynamics and such.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1njPxb4MeSY">Everything You Wanted</a>, Hawk Nelson<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EhvBS1hmVA">Like Father, Like Son</a>, Elton John<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE9BTE_BMak">Not One of Us</a>, Disney<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usZtSl8mX08&amp;feature=related">He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother</a>, Neil Diamond<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOStF4q0zZI">How to Save a Life</a>, The Fray<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a22LcWKdBs">Playing with the Big Boys Now</a>, Dreamworks. urn:lj:scribbld.com:atom1:discardedheir:397 2009-05-12T00:51:26Z 2009-06-11T05:34:12Z Because they are good things to articulate no matter what my surname has to be, <br /><br />Top Three Priorities: <br /><br />1. Taking care of my family.<br />2. Securing the official status of Cassandra and Scotty as members of my family.* (**)<br />3. Ensuring the general safety&#160;of the world, with admitted bias towards the stability of Latveria.&#160;<br /><br />*Once I appear to have enough chance of success to risk my dignity again.<br />**If all else fails, kill Kang instead.