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Vincent Amorason ([info]quitethecharmer) wrote in [info]marvel_nextgen,
@ 2010-01-07 01:13:00


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Entry tags:awesome andrea, franklin richards, inactive - valeria richards, kristoff vernard, team - fantastic four, vincent vernard

Damage Control
Vincent had been put up on thirty-six hours of enforced bed-rest after retrieving Cassandra, and losing.. part of himself. The world seemed different. He was cold. He got hungry and tired as mortals of average physicality did. It was terrifying, and humiliating, and sickening for him. His body felt incomplete.

As soon as he'd been able to get out of bed, he'd retreated to his lab. All his work on the other major project he was working on was carefully recorded, preserved, and cordoned off, and then everything else got wiped clean. Hours passed, then days, then weeks. He only stopped his calculations and testing when he needed to eat or sleep. Discarded junk food wrappers and instant food packaging overflowed his wastebasket by now The exception was checking in with Kristoff to be assured that Andrea's repairs were proceeding on schedule.

At this point it was a month later, and more than fifty percent of the laboratory walls were covered with notations. He was attempting to isolate the energy that constituted the Asgardian 'spark', and then reinfuse himself with it. He would have called Asleif for consultation, but he couldn't bear to interact with anyone while he was in this state.

He couldn't stay like this.

Without his power.

Without his identity.

Weak. Vulnerable. Unable to protect anyone.



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[info]quitethecharmer
2010-01-07 06:40 am UTC (link)
At this point, this is Vincent's system.

Vincent doesn't take the cup right away. He doesn't move at all actually.

Then, finally, he speaks.

"Six weeks ago... I could have smelled that through the doors of my keep. Six weeks ago I would have heard you approaching from a separate floor. Now..." He picks up the cup, taking a heavy sip, swallowing faster than he normally would.

He winces, holding the bridge of his nose. "Six weeks ago I wouldn't have been able to burn my mouth." He puts the cup down sharply, covering his face again.

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[info]discardedheir
2010-01-07 06:52 am UTC (link)
"Phral, you are exaggerating," Kristoff says gently. The floors were insulated, for one thing. Vincent's wallowing was definitely getting to the Something Must Be Done point.

"I realize the physiological differences must be extremely disconcerting. I cannot pretend to know what that feels like. But..."

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[info]quitethecharmer
2010-01-07 07:00 am UTC (link)
"Kristoff, I tore apart a tank brigade with my bare hands and well worked spells. Now.. now some thug on the street could stab me and I'd bleed out if I didn't get medical attention quickly enough." Vincent huffs.

"It's like phantom limb pains through my whole body." He curls up hsi face, hesitating. "I... I don't mean to salt your own wounds, but how did you feel when I--" he abruptly changes his choice of words, "-when he exiled you from Latveria. How much of your self did you feel was gone or missing? If I'm not the son of Amora, if I'm not a child of Asgard, then.. all that's left is... is..." He can't even say it, looking sickened.

He runs a hand through his hair, sipping at his tea again. "I had made peace with the idea of dieing for a greater good, but not this...

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[info]discardedheir
2010-01-07 07:10 am UTC (link)
Kristoff pauses for just a moment at the question. "...It is fortunate that I was not raised in a culture that considered suicide honorable in such circumstances," he says quietly. "But what I could no longer claim to be beneath the dignity of a Von Doom or of a Latverian subject was still beneath my dignity."

He sets his hands on Vincent's shoulders, and speaks rather intently in Romany. "You are my brother. Can that not be enough, just this once?"

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[info]quitethecharmer
2010-01-07 07:16 am UTC (link)
At that, Vincent just looks like something crumbled inside him. He latches onto his brother. He does not cry, but there's a certain amount of welling up and some hitched breathing.

"I have no dignity anymore... I have little to be proud of.. least of all the eccentricity of gods to hide behind."

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[info]discardedheir
2010-01-07 07:32 am UTC (link)
Kristoff just holds him.

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[info]quitethecharmer
2010-01-07 03:25 pm UTC (link)
"I... I don't know how to live as this." Vincent bites his lower lip, pulling back.

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[info]discardedheir
2010-01-07 07:27 pm UTC (link)
"And yet you will. It is possible this can be eventually reversed, although --" Kristoff glances as the very-much-hopeless equations. "...Let us be realistic as to how that can be accomplished?"

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[info]quitethecharmer
2010-01-07 08:01 pm UTC (link)
"The typical palate of dark and unspeakable rituals that I find unsavory and unethical, are, pitiably, the ones with the highest chance of success. I've also no desire to contract with Lord Loki or Lady Hela, although I find those notions somewhat less unsettling." Vincent shakes his teacup gently, stirring it.

"Beyond that, I'm formulating theories on energy fabrication and infusion to replicate the... 'spark', for lack of a scientific term. Once I've synthesized the appropriate signature, I'll test it with my blood before attempting a full infusion." He gestures to his earliest copied notes, then waves a hand at an anatomical model with intake notations.

"My secondary theory is a direct infusion of Asgardian blood, but I'm somewhat loathe to ask Asleif, let alone any of her siblings or other Asgardians, for the necessary component for that line of research."

Finally, he gestures to calculations that would seem to be similar to dimensional travel frequencies. "And then there's the idea of petitioning the All-Father... although that has a certain location-related difficulty."

He sighs. "I've reached a temporary impasse on the first and third systems."

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[info]discardedheir
2010-01-07 08:14 pm UTC (link)
"The third...really seems the most potentially effective. I realize the opportunity is problematic but... can you not simply wait? Stop driving yourself mad with obvious dead ends --" Kristoff rattles off half a dozen things wrong with Vincent's notes; He's no good at magic, not stupid about it, after all.

"Surely it can wait a while? We are all here for you. In particular, Andrea, who has been through a great deal as well and could certainly use more time with you."

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[info]quitethecharmer
2010-01-07 08:37 pm UTC (link)
"And what am I supposed to do? It's taken me practicing every waking moment I'm not running calculations just to get a handle on spellcraft again. It's like... like dropping a alternate fuel engine into an unleaded vehicle, without making any other adaptations. I can work magic safely, but I don't have nearly the same level of power anymore."

He gets up and starts pacing. "You yourself have, rightfully, pointed out that my scientific acumen is dilletantism at best, so it's not as if I can make the contributions that you can. I'm certainly no human shield anymore either. The level of magical power I have left against any post-human opponents... Andrea certainly has the capacity to simulate most of the effects, if not surpass their efficacy."

He turns to face his brother. "What exactly should I be doing? I've actually been finding some satisfaction in living a slightly less hedonistic lifestyle, but now I find little other options. I also hardly have the constitution for that anymore. The notion of passing my days doing nothing more than passing the time idly with Andrea, while pleasing, is hardly constructive."

He doesn't mention out loud that he likely lacks the constitution for certain activities regarding Andrea now as well.

He lets out a heavy sigh. "There's also been another factor on my mind... a point of some conflict."

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[info]discardedheir
2010-01-07 08:45 pm UTC (link)
Kristoff holds off on several comments.

"Then let us address that one first."

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[info]quitethecharmer
2010-01-07 08:53 pm UTC (link)
Vincent raises an eyebrow, sipping the last of his tea. "First I think you should give voice to those responses you clearly have brewing behind that expression. Then I'll divulge the other issue."

He tries to be polite enough to not make the accusation of saying Kristoff has 'comments', or 'retorts'.

Even though that's probably the case.

Especially because that's probably the case.

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[info]discardedheir
2010-01-07 08:57 pm UTC (link)
"Vincent, you are eighteen. You have time. I can assure you that being second-best at everything for a period is not fatal. And time 'wasted' with Andrea would be far more beneficial than time wasted in here. For both of you."

"...Are you even aware that Cassandra is still confined to her room?"

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[info]quitethecharmer
2010-01-07 09:14 pm UTC (link)
"I wouldn't call time with her wasted... but I just feel.. I thought I was trying to do better than just making myself happy. And I can hardly ask her to give up all her time just to keep me company in my obsolescence."

Vincent gives Kristoff a thoughtful nod, crediting him. "With the amount of love you have for her, not to mention the simple fact that it's you, I took that as a given. But I have been keeping a cursory eye on the conditions of the building's residents."

He takes a breath. "As for the conflict... the only solace I can draw from this situation is that I'm likely of minimal interest to him now, but at the same time... there's the least I could do to stop him, or even elude him."

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[info]discardedheir
2010-01-07 09:23 pm UTC (link)
"I am not advocating total self-indulgence. I just believe she would prefer some more time with you right now."

A slight smile at the 'it's you' part. "It is not paranoia, Vincent," He
wouldn't make his wife rest up for a month just out of paranoia. "The doctors have been concerned about the aggravation to her condition, especially considering even more recent revelations."

Kristoff pauses for a moment. "It is not going to happen, Vincent," he says firmly.

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[info]quitethecharmer
2010-01-07 09:57 pm UTC (link)
Vincent nods. "I... wasn't that comfortable with the idea of assisting in her reassembly. I assumed she'd come to me when she was functional again..."

He pauses. "Does that make me neglectful?"

He manages a nodding lack of argument to Kristoff's reassurance about 'him'.

"...wait, what condition?"

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[info]discardedheir
2010-01-08 12:56 am UTC (link)
Kristoff refrains from comment there. He's got another matter to address.

"Well, Cassandra's existing medical issues have to be taken into account in the light of..." He can't help but smile a little. "In the light of her pregnancy."

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[info]quitethecharmer
2010-01-08 05:07 am UTC (link)
Vincent blinks, then gapes, then grins. "Kristoff!" He hugs him. "Congratulations! Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

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[info]discardedheir
2010-01-08 05:20 am UTC (link)
"It has only recently been confirmed, and I have been very busy, brother," Kristoff says, smiling and hugging.

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[info]quitethecharmer
2010-01-08 05:28 am UTC (link)
"I'll grant you the busy, but I would expect keeping family informed to take a certain level of priority." Vincent breaks the hug off with a pat on the back, untangling them.

"I'm truly happy for you, phral."

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[info]discardedheir
2010-01-08 05:52 am UTC (link)
"Thank you. Scotty seems...intrigued, at least, at the idea of a prospective sister." Pause, and then, almost forced. "Or brother."

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[info]quitethecharmer
2010-01-08 06:09 am UTC (link)
"A bit of a preference, Dr Vernard?" Vincent smiles.

"If I may be so bold, 'Maria' would be a lovely anglicizing of Mirela, and less likely to leave a hypothetical daughter tormented on the schoolyard."

Oh yes, this is a much better topic.

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[info]discardedheir
2010-01-08 06:11 am UTC (link)
"I would still be completely happy with two sons," Kristoff insists for the record. "But slightly, I will admit."

"It is one to keep in mind, thank you."

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[info]quitethecharmer
2010-01-08 06:18 am UTC (link)
"Kristoff, you are simply not capable of loving any child with less than your whole being. You are entirely allowed to have a preference." Vincent smiles, pleased that his suggestion has been taken as well.

He rubs his stomach. "I'm hungry.. and I've exhausted my supply of packaged instant foods. Before all this happened, there was a cajun restaurant I was somewhat curious about. I understand their crawfish boil is on the strong side." He puts the bait out there.

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(no subject) - [info]discardedheir, 2010-01-08 06:27 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]quitethecharmer, 2010-01-08 06:30 am UTC
(no subject) - [info]discardedheir, 2010-01-08 10:00 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]quitethecharmer, 2010-01-08 10:11 pm UTC

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