Kristoff Vernard, aka Kristoff Von Doom (discardedheir) wrote,
@ 2009-07-21 23:39:00

Alternate Universe Flashback: 12 years ago, differently.
It had frustrated Doom, letting them walk away like that. But in these particular 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.

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.

Kristoff dressed for dinner and arrived early...to find more place settings than usual, and his own usual chair...occupied.

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	quitethecharmer 2009-07-22 06:14 am UTC (link)
	A young boy sat in Kristoff's place, dressed very much like Doom in miniature, but with his face bared. He was very young, no more than six. His eyes were reddened, and his lips were pursed. He looked at Kristoff entering the room very much like a dog would regard a tiger leaping over fence into its yard. (Reply to this)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2009-07-22 06:28 am UTC (link)
	"Kristoff," Doom says, "I would like to introduce my natural son, Vincent Amorason Von Doom. Vincent, this is Kristoff Vernard Von Doom. He has been a ward of the state these past ten years, and since Doom is the state, my heir for that time. Kristoff, Vincent will be living here henceforth." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	discardedheir 2009-07-22 06:46 am UTC (link)
	Kristoff hears this, processes sufficiently, and nods. It takes a few moments, actually, to lift his head again. He takes one of the other seats with a polite, stiff, "It is good to meet you, Vincent." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	quitethecharmer 2009-07-22 06:52 am UTC (link)
	Vincent looks between the two older men hesitantly, before nodding to Kristoff. He seems to be calculating his response. "The Son of Doom will expect you to assist him as you have his father." He looks to Doom uncertainly. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	nextgen_parent 2009-07-22 07:34 am UTC (link)
	There's a very small sound Doom makes, and it's not obviously displeased. "You will have much to learn," he says evenly. Then he looks to Kristoff. "Your involvement in his scientific education will be useful." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	discardedheir 2009-07-22 07:52 am UTC (link)
	Kristoff sits in silence for a moment at Vincent's statement, the part of his mind that can see the intent quickly smothering the outrage at the five-year-old's pouring metaphorical lemon juice on the wound in his pride from his loss of position. "I intend to do my best." Masterful little thing. Kristoff nods. "As you wish, of course, Sir." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

quitethecharmer
2009-07-22 08:05 am UTC (link)

Vincent relaxes slightly as he seems to have been given a momentary pass. His face eases, and he looks to Kristoff. "I imagine your lessons will be most illuminating. My father has told me I show signs of his aptitude for the... scientific arts."

The phrase is not one that seems to come naturally to the boy. He speaks of it as if something bitter has crossed his tongue.

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discardedheir
2009-07-22 10:32 am UTC (link)

Kristoff's eyebrow starts to raise just slightly, but before he can have any response to this, dinner is actually served. Doom, of course, merely drinks his wine. The food will wait until he's dismissed them from the room. There's a Way Things are Done at dinner, and since Doom asks no direct questions during it, Kristoff eats in silence except for the occasional comments Doom decides to make on various subjects.

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	discardedheir 2009-07-23 04:55 am UTC (link)
	And eventually, dismissed, they are walking down the hall. Vincent's newly-appointed room is next to his. he doesn't have to yield his room at least. Kristoff tries to dismiss the streak of bitterness before it can fester and to focus on the child. "If you have any questions, Vincent, please let me know. Lessons will apparently start tomorrow." (Reply to this)(Thread)

	quitethecharmer 2009-07-23 05:16 am UTC (link)
	Vincent hesitates, looking up at him. "Kristoff... how evil a person is my father? Or myself?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	discardedheir 2009-07-23 05:28 am UTC (link)
	Kristoff pauses. "Vincent," He says quietly, and maintaining interest in Vincent's speaking quietly. "I realize we have only just met, but you cannot possibly old enough to qualify as an evil person. Your Father is a much more complicated issue, but he is a Great Man. Why are you asking this?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	quitethecharmer 2009-07-23 05:29 am UTC (link)
	The youth furrows his brow. "Because... everywhere I go.. no-one wants me. Mother took me away from our home once our people knew I was of father's blood." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

discardedheir
2009-07-23 05:46 am UTC (link)

Kristoff crouches for the best eye level with the boy. "Vincent," he says earnestly, "You cannot let a sudden experience of misguided opinions cloud your opinion of yourself. I realize it must be additionally frustrating not to have your mother with you. When I was your age I missed mine very much. But that does not make the problems involved in your separation your responsibility."

"Your Father has many enemies and a very intimidating reputation, yes. That is not the same as being evil."

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quitethecharmer
2009-07-23 06:02 am UTC (link)

"I don't miss..." Vincent starts, then hesitates. "I don't need my mother. I didn't get to say goodbye to anyone. I... I had friends." He says it firmly, as if it wouldn't be believed.

He draws himself up, trying to will himself tall enough to look Kristoff in the eye. "What is the worst thing he has done? I need to know. Even if I can't leave here, I need to know."

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discardedheir
2009-07-23 06:08 am UTC (link)

"Which rather contradicts the idea that you can never be wanted anywhere, does it not?" Kristoff says quietly. That and the fact that he had displaced Kristoff. But Kristoff could not make a calm and concerned point with that information yet. Not yet. "Perhaps you can eventually contact them. I have a friend. I have not seen her in years, but sometimes we exchange letters."

Kristoff tenses. "I am not qualified to know that," he says very quietly. "I only know what other people have called the worst thing he has done. And in the case I heard the most their opinions were...misguidedly concerned."

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	quitethecharmer 2009-07-23 06:23 am UTC (link)
	Vincent furrows his brow. "You..." He clenches his fists, then calms himself. "You will tell me tomorrow. I look forward to our lessons." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	discardedheir 2009-07-23 06:28 am UTC (link)
	"Sleep well, Vincent," Kristoff says quietly. (Reply to this)(Parent)

discardedheir
2009-07-23 06:45 am UTC (link)

The next morning, they were in the room that had been used for Kristoff's formal lessons when he was five.

"Kristoff, Young Master, will you be needing anything?" One of the servants asked.
Kristoff flinched before answering "Not at the moment, thank you." It did not matter. It didn't. Doom still cared for him; he was sure of it. ...Of course he was sure.

And soon they were alone again.

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	quitethecharmer 2009-07-23 06:14 pm UTC (link)
	Vincent scowls with disdain as the servant leaves, before turning sharply to Kristoff. He crosses his arms over his chest with a faint clang of gauntlets on armor. "Just so thou art aware..." He slips into his old world tongue, as mortals would hear it, as Asgardian language and temper spill to the surface. "It be Vincent." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

discardedheir
2009-07-23 06:21 pm UTC (link)

Kristoff nods. It's a little odd, hearing it like that, but nothing too surprising that a boy that young would slip into his native language. "Vincent it is. Though I must say, I never minded, myself, in your place." He says it quietly, evenly.

A thoughtful pause. "Before we start discussing mathematics, I wish to offer a few suggestions, just so that you will be aware of them. About talking to Your Father."

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	quitethecharmer 2009-07-23 06:24 pm UTC (link)
	Seeming pleased with himself, for having sufficiently bent Kristoff to his will with his request the former day, Vincent seats himself. "I will not ride on his title for power. My power is mine. My name is mine." He relaxes slightly, folding his hands in his lap rather than crossing his arms. "Aye. Proceed." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

discardedheir
2009-07-23 06:44 pm UTC (link)

Kristoff nods a little. "You are entitled to a difference of perspective, I suppose."

"He is going to take some interest in your studies. He is going to occasionally want you to observe some of his work, both scientific and political. I...would really recommend never, even in private, giving a suggestion unless he specifically asks you for your perspective. He is...very busy and prefers not to be irritated that way. I would especially recommend not invoking any foreign events and individuals you may be reading about. And even if you're not making a suggestion, just...try not to be around Your Father when the topic of Dr. Reed Richards and his family comes up."
Kristoff says it all very earnestly and quietly.

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	quitethecharmer 2009-07-23 06:48 pm UTC (link)
	Vincent furrows his brow almost immediately. "But what if he's wrong? Why shouldn't I tell him so? Mother's much more powerful than him, and even she still had lots and lots of teachings and corrections." A pause, then an addition. "And she's a goddess, remember." He raises his chin slightly, leaving it to Kristoff to read the unspoken bit there. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

discardedheir
2009-07-23 06:54 pm UTC (link)

"Yes, I gathered that, but Vincent, the chances or your noticing a serious mistake on Your Father's part at any point in the near future are not particularly likely. Of course, the best course of action might be different in an actual emergency depending on the circumstances available. But what I am trying to advise against are the kinds of idle suggestions that...well, that I used to make at your age."

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	quitethecharmer 2009-07-23 06:55 pm UTC (link)
	Vincent arches an eyebrow cautiously. "What happened when... thou erred?" More old world, spurred by uncertainty this time. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

discardedheir
2009-07-23 07:31 pm UTC (link)

Kristoff gives a small, quick shake of his head. "He was just upset. The ...we really will have to discuss the difficulties in compensating for the strength of an armored grip at some point, actually. No serious harm. The pain was only a little; I was always for the most part just frightened. And sorry that I had upset him. Your Father is not a monster," he adds earnestly. "It is just best for everyone to exercise a little caution and avoid problems."

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	quitethecharmer 2009-07-25 08:05 pm UTC (link)
	Vincent raises an eyebrow cautiously, then shrugs and waves an hand dismissively. "So... what is it you think you're going to teach me today?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

discardedheir
2009-07-25 08:16 pm UTC (link)

Kristoff looks a little relieved to let the matter drop for now.

"That depends on the matter of with what mathematics you are already familiar," Kristoff says. He then rattles off a brief series of questions ranging from the very simple to matters of algebraic geometry. All are things he knew before the machine when he was eight, but Kristoff had of course had a rather accelerated education even then, and aside from his friendship with Cassandra, has very little basis for how other children learn.

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	quitethecharmer 2009-07-25 08:21 pm UTC (link)
	Vincent blinks, then says nothing, before answering the simple arithmetic questions. He hesitates then, pursing his lips. A minute later, there may as well have been steam blowing out his ears. "I.... that is...." He outright SCOWLS. "Such things are not known in Asgard." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

discardedheir
2009-07-25 08:26 pm UTC (link)

Kristoff simply nods. "Such is the difference of worlds. Few on ...Midgard would, for instance, know anything about -- " he describes a few basic to intermediate mystic principles.

"So I shall start explaining now. And you must tell me if I have have failed to explain it well." That, Kristoff believes, is a much better injunction for a Von Doom than 'if you do not understand.'

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	quitethecharmer 2009-07-25 08:37 pm UTC (link)
	He raises an eyebrow. "You do... admirably, for a mortal, in recognizing those tenets of spellwork." He peers at him. "But I do not feel magic on you as I should..." Vincent claps a gauntlet onto the table. "You will bring me whatever texts on the math subject deemed suitable as well." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

discardedheir
2009-07-25 08:50 pm UTC (link)

Kristoff smiles slightly. "Thank you, Vincent. Your Father is the second-greatest sorcerer in this world. And I know fully one-third of what he knows about the mystic arts. But my skill at putting the knowledge into practice is absolutely meager. And I would prefer to do something not at all than do it so very poorly. I am sure I shall not be asked to handle that part of your education."

Kristoff smiles again as he steps over to get a book off of the shelf. "This is one of the better ones. At any point where you see black print written over with green ink, the green is correct."

He pauses for further comment from Vincent before they get into the subject thoroughly.

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	quitethecharmer 2009-07-25 10:48 pm UTC (link)
	Vincent rifles through the book from the first page, appearing to consume the material with voracious speed. He does not look up until he is shutting it after the last page. He then proceeds to answer the questions Kristoff posed to him before. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

discardedheir
2009-07-25 11:16 pm UTC (link)

Kristoff at first stands there with his own arms crossed, but once it's clear that Vincent's going to read the entire book, he sits down to wait it out. The patience so short with most strangers is already working towards infinity. Kristoff asks a few more questions when the previous ones are answered, ones not explicitly dealt with in the book but which can be extrapolated with enough thought from that information.

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	quitethecharmer 2009-07-25 11:37 pm UTC (link)
	Vincent pauses, then gives the answers. "What is the practical use of these learnings?" He inquires bluntly. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

discardedheir
2009-07-25 11:49 pm UTC (link)

"Enough mathematics allows one to understand chemistry and physics. And with enough knowledge of physics..." Kristoff smiles. "I have returned myself and others home from being flung across space and time, and created weapons that could reduce men to dust, all without the slightest use of magic. Only science. And Your Father often combines the two to accomplish things neither could easily do alone."

A pause. "I shall make sure you have enough available materials tomorrow. I believe I still have an errand scheduled for tomorrow." Pause. "Unless that would now insult them more than he intended when he asked me to go."

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	quitethecharmer 2009-07-25 11:52 pm UTC (link)
	The boy cocks his head. "What sort of errand? What does he have you run about doing, when not attending to me?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

discardedheir
2009-07-26 12:12 am UTC (link)

"Various things. I have always managed to be of some use. But the issue in question is attending political or business occasions to which he has been invited that he does not wish to attend, when he wants to make a particular sort of point. They must deal with a fitting critique of the situation they thought Doom would find of such interest not from the Master of Latveria himself but from his 15-year-old hei-- from a fifteen-year-old."

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	quitethecharmer 2009-07-26 12:33 am UTC (link)
	Vincent raised an eyebrow, tilting his head as well. "If he thinks so poorly of them, why does he not simply wipe them out? Is that not how he conducts himself?" (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	discardedheir 2009-07-26 12:42 am UTC (link)
	"These are generally a caliber of people whose elimination would be extremely inconvenient, and not truly in his interests or those of the country. Your Father does not actually find it necessary to use lethal force terribly often." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	quitethecharmer 2009-07-26 12:57 am UTC (link)
	Vincent scratched his head. "There is still much I need learn of him... I suppose." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	discardedheir 2009-07-26 01:01 am UTC (link)
	"There will be time." (Reply to this)(Parent)

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