Log In

Home
    - Create Journal
    - Update
    - Download

Scribbld
    - News
    - Paid Accounts
    - Invite
    - To-Do list
    - Contributors

Customize
    - Customize
    - Create Style
    - Edit Style

Find Users
    - Random!
    - By Region
    - By Interest
    - Search

Edit ...
    - User Info
    - Settings
    - Your Friends
    - Old Entries
    - Userpics
    - Password

Need Help?
    - Password?
    - FAQs
    - Support Area


lunatic_laugh ([info]lunatic_laugh) wrote in [info]marvel_legends,
@ 2011-04-24 14:50:00


Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:kristoff, phil urich

My Big Break| or |How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Interview the Regent
Well, things had moved a little faster than he'd expected, but here he was. Jet-setting across the Atlantic and into the heart of old-world Europe to interview the new face in charge of Latveria, Kristoff Vernard. Phil understood all too well that he wasn't getting this assignment because he'd earned it or because he was the best guy qualified for it.

He was getting this assignment because he was the only reporter at the Bugle still young and crazy enough to go into the capital city of the nation with the highest number of death rays per capita in the world and interview the possibly crazy guy that the probably crazier guy just put in almost-charge.

But hey, at least the flight attendants (or was he supposed to call them stewardesses now?) on the way over were cute, and friendly. Apparently being a journalist on foreign assignment ranked somewhere better than 'photography student', but was an expected far cry from the automatic appeal of 'fireman' or 'chocolate factory owner'.


A bus ride to JFK, the red-eye to Heathrow and then to Symkaria, a cab ride to the Latverian border, and he arrived at the checkpoint. Several vigorous searches of himself and his equipment that absolutely would not make it into print later, he stepped across. A carriage, an honest-to-goodness horse-drawn carriage, was waiting to take him to Doomstadt.

"Uh... hey there. Phil Urich, reporter for the Daily Bugle, out of New York City. Here to interview Regent Vernard."


(Post a new comment)


[info]latverianregent
2011-04-24 04:41 pm UTC (link)
"Yes," says the gentleman driving the carriage. "I know. Dr. Vernard sent me." And he'll give Phil his choice of getting in the carriage or up top, and they get going.

(Reply to this)(Thread)

[info]lunatic_laugh
2011-04-24 04:44 pm UTC (link)
Not exactly fond of horses, Phil will go inside the carriage itself, facing front so he can at least try to speak with the driver if anything happens.

The countryside is a sight to see. Then it turns into historical theme-park territory when they pass outlying villages, mothers literally pulling their children indoors as a carriage with a foreigner goes by.

Well, that's encouraging.

They arrive at the castle, and Phil thanks the driver before doing his best to look confident in front of the guards at the gate.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]latverianregent
2011-04-24 04:48 pm UTC (link)
And soon the guards step aside for Dr. Vernard, who comes out and nods politely. "Philip Urich, I presume?"

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]lunatic_laugh
2011-04-24 05:09 pm UTC (link)
"Yes sir. Honored to meet you, and thank you again for this valuable expanse of your time." Phil nods in return.

That was grovel-y enough, right? He'd heard good things about the kid's temperament in general, but then again, most people compared favorably to Dr Doom.

"There's a lot the world would like to know about the changing of the guard, such as it is."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]latverianregent
2011-04-24 05:13 pm UTC (link)
"You are most welcome; please come in. That is an understandable interest, and Latveria is certainly willing to be informative, as it should be for mutual benefit in the long run." And Kristoff will escort him inside, to the library, where there are two chairs, a side table, a beautiful portrait of a sweet-looking gypsy couple on the wall, and not much visible security.

"Would you like anything to drink, Urich?"

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]lunatic_laugh
2011-04-24 05:20 pm UTC (link)
Is he sitting on a trap-door? Are there lasers pointed at him? Both? It's probably both.

"Iced tea, if it's not any trouble. Can't drink when I'm on the job, but I'll be glad to take any advice on local stuff after the interview is concluded." Phil dips his toe into speaking casually. The kid, underneath all the ceremony and responsibility, seems like he appreciates getting to the point.

He takes out a notepad, as well as a recorder. "Is this acceptable?" He holds up the device. "I'd also like to take a few photos after we conclude our discussion, if possible. Nothing private, of course. Just some visual meat for the article."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]latverianregent
2011-04-24 05:25 pm UTC (link)
Kristoff politely nods to one of the staff, who scurries off.
"I cannot speak more highly of the local peach-tinctured brandy," Kristoff says pleasantly, a boy just-turned-18 saying it as a gentleman of 50 might. But the staff brings tea for both of them before scurrying away.

"If I may?" Kristoff asks, reaching for the recorder, his gauntlets retreating so that he is obviously touching it only with his bear hands. He looks it over for a moment before returning it. That will be quite acceptable. I also do not mind photographs." A small dry smile. "I have ensured to avoid the faceplate, as I am aware of the Bugle's opinion of masks."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]lunatic_laugh
2011-04-24 05:56 pm UTC (link)
Phil chuckles and gives a snort. "Yeah, well... that's Jameson. Me, I'm a realist. It's the masked guys' world. Joes like me are just living in it."

Well, now he's a 'Joe' anyway. He used to be... well, maybe not a hero, but he'd been something.

He hears what he said and thinks it over for a moment. "Not to make light of the fact that we're currently in a masked guy's country, of course."

He turns on the recorder and clicks his pen open. "If it's alright with you, I'd like to ask you to be candid at first. Just any general sentiments you'd like to express about the world headlines right now, emphasis on what the average American reader is going to be aware of. I understand if you need to put on the state voice once I start asking specific questions, but I'd like to build a foundation for the article before that."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]latverianregent
2011-04-24 06:10 pm UTC (link)
"No offense taken, Urich. I am not going to assume anyone would be foolish enough to come here with the intention of purposely mocking Dr. Doom to my face. To clarify from the beginning, while this is a time of immense change for Latveria, it is not accurate to lump it into the category of 'revolutions.' Latveria could be said to have had a revolution some twenty years ago. It might be said to have had another a dozen years ago in the removal of the usurper Zorba. What we're hoping to bring about now is evolution: making the country stronger and more adaptable while protecting our basic cultural integrity."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]lunatic_laugh
2011-04-24 08:18 pm UTC (link)
Phil nods, noting down some perspective notes that the audio recording won't cover. "I've done my homework. I know some of the details about conditions before Doom's coup, as well as Zorba's.

How would you describe the state's day to day functions, outside of Doom routinely announcing himself the 'monarch' of the country?"

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]latverianregent
2011-04-24 10:09 pm UTC (link)
"...Could you clarify what you mean. Are you referring to traditional administration or to the changes we are in the process of making?"

He may not have understood your phrasing, Phil, but her heard your punctuation.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]lunatic_laugh
2011-04-24 10:11 pm UTC (link)
"How would you describe the government? To what degree does Doom, or yourself, micro-manage or delegate? Is it closer to a provincial military state, or some other form of rule?"

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]latverianregent
2011-04-25 12:44 am UTC (link)
"The military's chief concern is, above all, national security. Latveria is, after all, one of the few stable and secure nations in the Balkans. The majority of the military is composed of automata and other artificial security systems, and the sovereign of course serves as Commander-in-Chief. In the countryside, while of course the sovereign can always be petitioned as a court of last resort, the traditional tribal and village leaders are given a certain amount of discretion in day-to-day administration provided they keep order evenhandedly. However, they serve at the pleasure of the sovereign and are immediately replaced if there is any sign of ethnic strife or other conflict or corruption. In Doomstadt, the city alderman have more access to the sovereign for immediate consultation, of course."
Kristoff sipped his tea.
"Of course, we are in a time of transition."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]lunatic_laugh
2011-04-25 01:01 am UTC (link)
Phil takes very detailed notes about this part. "Of course. I can relate." He smiles. "Just finished my second round of college. Didn't expect to get thrown into the deep end of journalism this quickly." He drinks some of his tea, nodding in approval at the taste, before continuing.

"Now comes time for the elephant in the room... how do you feel your time with the Fantastic Four influences your personal investment in your position?"

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]latverianregent
2011-04-25 01:45 am UTC (link)
A reasonably courteous nod. "Yes, there is much to do. We are currently expanding the power grid beyond it's previous uses for exclusively the castle and the hospital to becoming available to all of Doomstadt and much of the nation as a whole. Doing so in an orderly fashion while ensuring no essential ecological impact is a fascinating challenge."

He's sipping his tea at the next question, so it's hard to judge what the expression is on his face.
"I still bear respect and gratitude to the Fantastic Four for their well-intentioned attempt to care for me for several months when I was eight, and for their assistance for several months when I was twelve, but my first loyalty is always to my country."

Another sip. "We in Latveria are, however, very happy to welcome the Future Foundation to the struggle to bring the true rewards of science and technology to the people of the world. Latveria has every intention of continuing what began with the allocation of Latverian resources towards progress in critical points, and I am confident that, all differences aside, Dr. Richards has clearly taken on this interest as well."

Every word was technically true.
There, Master. For you, and for the touch of good it might do our people. Dr. Richards rhetorically placed at your coattails for once.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]lunatic_laugh
2011-04-26 12:59 am UTC (link)
"Mhm." Phil takes more notes. "The Foundation is the hot topic among you top twenty smart guys right now, after all."

There are some token questions that will be talking-heads fodder, and some color commentary, before going on to something a bit more relevant.

"Given it's... checkered public image, what nations are counted foremost as Latveria's allies at this time? I could tell just from the checkpoint there's no love lost with Symkaria."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]latverianregent
2011-04-26 01:12 am UTC (link)
"Actually, there is," Kristoff says coldly. "Symkaria, whose relations Latveria has always valued, has been through tragic times recently." It's not political platitudes. Kristoff seriously finds it tragic and thinks Phil's a moron for dismissing the problem as traditionally bad relations with Latveria when that's not what it is.

Kristoff sips his tea. "The Atlanteans have problems of their own. What common goals Latveria once shared with Ruritania have been... diminished. It is further evidence of Latveria's need for a new direction that our former allies cannot be what they once were."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]lunatic_laugh
2011-04-26 01:28 am UTC (link)
Phil doesn't quite get how much he messed up, but he does sense the tension spike. Unfortunately, it may be about to get worse.

"And your plans, if any, regarding diplomatic relations with the United States? Trade, extradition, tourism, etc."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]latverianregent
2011-04-26 01:37 am UTC (link)
"...Urich, are you following a checklist of questions instead of gauging the subject's reaction to each and seeing what direction to take the interview?"

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]lunatic_laugh
2011-04-26 01:39 am UTC (link)
Phil tilts his head cautiously. "A list, for the most part. Mr Jameson had some particular curiosities."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]latverianregent
2011-04-26 01:49 am UTC (link)
"J. Jonah Jameson did not teach you to interview in a sequential order like that," the boy says with sudden sternness. "He has his absurd eccentricities, but the man knows his craft. He doesn't ignore clarifying questions unless they come from Spider-Man, and he would be able to gauge a subject's need to deal further with one subject before exacerbating it with another. Yes, you laid the original out in a well-segued order, but the only interviews whose best order survives the first question are done with entertainers by magazines for young ladies, not of a regent by a journalist. For pity's sake, you could at least have distracted me from your ignorance of Symkaria by asking about the changes in Ruritanian relations before charging into American extradition."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]lunatic_laugh
2011-04-26 08:34 am UTC (link)
"J. Jonah Jameson didn't teach me anything." Phil replies, keeping his temper in check. The kid has some valid points.

"Look, Doctor Vernard, I'm not going to mislead either of us here. I'm not here because I was the best man for the job. I'm here because I was the only one willing to take the assignment that wasn't considered irreplaceable on the staff. I'm an investigator and a photographer; this is my first interview ever for a piece like this. I appreciate you not blasting me into next week if I've already stepped in something."

He takes a breath.

"What do you want the world to hear about Latveria? You, specifically. Doctor Kristoff Vernard, not the Regent of Latveria."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]latverianregent
2011-04-26 04:19 pm UTC (link)
Dr. Kristoff Venard hates talking to strangers, unfortunately, but he takes a long drink of his tea with his eyes closed. And when he opens them, he pretends he's not talking to some random American ... but to Cassandra.

His expression, though still formal, is more open and boyish than it was. "There comes a point where one must change or die. Latveria would prefer to change. Are we going to easily transform into a pseudo-Western country? Of course not. We don't even want to; we're Latverians. But we're willing to do business, even with places we don't fully understand. We are not under any United Nations sanctions; we are open to new opportunities. Latveria is a beautiful country, and it's going to stay that way, so anyone looking for a place without environmental restrictions would be sorely mistaken. But we hope that some of these new efforts will provide a better example for the world, anyway."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]lunatic_laugh
2011-04-26 09:59 pm UTC (link)
Phil nods, seemingly reassured. "Thank you, Doctor Vernard."

He allows the younger man to lead the remainder of the interview, managing to work in his remaining particular questions much more smoothly.

"I think that should be everything I need. I'll review my notes and recording tonight, and I should be able to let you know if I need anything else tomorrow, along with dealing with principal photography."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]latverianregent
2011-04-26 10:40 pm UTC (link)
"That is satisfactory, thank you. Hans!" Kristoff calls, and from the door the staff had disappeared into after bringing the tea, there comes a huge, strapping young man of about Phil's age much greater size.

"Please escort Mr. Urich and his belongings to the inn."

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]lunatic_laugh
2011-04-26 10:55 pm UTC (link)
Phil looks the man over.

Don't ask if there's a Franz. Don't ask if there's a Franz. Don't ask if there's a Franz...

"So... where's a guy get some peach brandy?" He smiles weakly as the wall of human (most likely human) approaches.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

[info]latverianregent
2011-04-26 11:30 pm UTC (link)
Hans is utterly human, just also a tall-blond-and-brawny Central European stereotype. "Right near the inn. I'd be happy to show you."

"Have some sent up for me as well, Hans," Kristoff says as they leave. It had been a long day.

And so Phil's eating and drinking needs will be seen to and he'll be set up in a nice little room at the inn near the central fountain of Doomstadt.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]monochromesight
2011-06-26 07:08 pm UTC (link)
-(END)-

(Reply to this)



scribbld is part of the horse.13 network
Design by Jimmy B.
Logo created by hitsuzen.
Scribbld System Status