thewindwitch (thewindwitch) wrote in newalliance, @ 2013-11-26 21:09:00 |
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Entry tags: | cyclone, kristoff |
Who: Maxine Hunkel & Kristoff Vernard (written in GDocs when IJ took a step out to lunch)
When: Backdated, November 18th, 2013
Where: Latverian Consulate, Metropolis
What: Maxine gets all the facts about Kristoff's father's recent dealings
Rating: Medium for some disturbing revelations about Doom
Maxine was trying her best to keep this conversation somewhat light, despite the heavy subject matter. She prepared Kristoff’s favorite tea, got the living room comfy, and even cooked some chocolate cookie scones. She poured Kristoff a cup and passed it to him before settling next to him.
“Okay.” Deep breath, and an encouraging and sympathetic look. “Just … fill me in. What’s going on, and how is … your father,” a little involuntary shiver, “involved?”
“As far as I can ascertain, it stems partly from when Father accepted research samples from Dr. Luthor.” Kristoff says, his eyes focused on the tea. “This is the sole actual evidence that could probably link him to these … /drug-runners/. Perhaps this is what inspired the faked documentation and the spreading of rumors.”
“From Luthor?” Maxine’s eyes went wide, and then she looked down at her own teacup. “Oh. That’s … that’s not good.”
“Indeed. The entire Stark Fiasco, I believe, was Father’s way of … making his amends, for the issue with Luthor.” A pause. “Father is … Not always very good at making amends.”
Maxine’s heart sank a little as she snuck a peek back at Kristoff. “No, that wasn’t very wise of him, attacking Mr. Stark and Miss Potts like that.” She slowly had a sip of tea and her fingers worried over one of the scones before picking it up. “He’s … he’s very rash sometimes, Kristoff. Like a bull in a china shop.” She hated to ask the next question. “What happened with … that little boy being injured?”
Kristoff bit his lip. It was true. Father … made unfortunate decisions sometimes. Quickly.
He winced again at the last part. “Robin’s a decent fellow. He heard all the rumors, found all the fabricated information and followed it to its logical conclusion. Which, for an American vigilante, involved yet another violation of Latverian sovereignty. Father … did not take that well. He treated the injuries afterwards, of course. He wasn’t trying to kill him. He was trying to make a point. I don’t even know for sure how much of the point was Robin, and how much was for his father.”
The teacup hit the ground at the revelation, and the impact chipped a good chunk out of the side, also sending its contents to be absorbed by the carpet. “H-He …. attacked … a kid?” She was trembling, but not with fright, but with anger, frustration. “He … hurt a little boy? Kristoff …” and the words were out of her mouth before could consider his feelings. “Attacking a child is the work of a monster, not a man.”
“Robin isn’t a kindergartener, Maxine. He’s at least 12. Probably 13 or 14. I was in combat at his age. Younger, even. I’m not happy about what happened, but give the man some credit.” In this case, the man needing credit is Robin. Kristoff doesn’t like hearing his father called a monster, but that’s something he can understand in its own heartbreaking way. But for some reason, he’s very, very much interested in a 12-14-year-old who behaves himself like a civilized person and a combatant being recognized as such. Kristoff’s voice is fairly flat and blank because that makes it easier to deal with all of this and not be hurt right now, but he’s very emphatic. 12-year-old boys can so count as valid contributors in war and justice and all that.
Her voice has a stubborn quality and she’s shaking her head. “I don’t … Warlords see boys and girls that age as warriors, Kristoff. And they shouldn’t. That’s wrecking some kind of innocence that they’re already losing because they’re getting older. It isn’t right.” She bit her lip and took a deep breath, it wasn’t her intention on making her boyfriend angry and sad. “.... I love you. Please understand that. And your father is …… many things that I can’t agree with. But you’re a good man, despite your childhood and being raised in the shadow of Doom.” She took his hands in hers. “And I really believe that … maybe you’re the Von Doom that will be a good mix of the present and the past. And the right one to lead your country peacefully, and without your father’s violent tendencies.” She moved closer and rested her head against his shoulder. “So I still love you, okay? And while what he’s done is terrible,” her voice went soft, “his mistakes don’t have to be yours to bear and fix.”
“I love you, too, Maxine,” Kristoff says simply. “But fixing Father’s mistakes is, in fact, part of my job right now.”
It’s hard for her to accept that. Maxine has grown up with the idea that responsibilities like this don’t come until you’re much older, and she and Kristoff seem so young to be dealing with politics like this. She bites her lip again, and then runs her fingers over his hands as she takes them in her own. “Okay. Then I’ll be here with you. Or there, in Latveria with you. I’ll help you figure things out when you need me.” It’s scary to think she’ll be constantly thinking up ways to fix the madness that Doom creates, but … maybe with Kristoff’s level head by her side? It won’t seem so daunting.
“Thank you, ves’tacha. Here would be better, though. We can sort out a great deal from here. When I need to go home, I’ll continue to go alone for a while yet. I know you’re not comfortable.” And especially when there will be an execution soon.
“If I’m going to help you, I’m going to have to get comfortable, aren’t I?” A weak smile. “I can’t stay afraid forever. That will get me nowhere. I’ll make my peace with your father somehow.” She kisses his cheek softly. “Thank you. For trusting me, ves’tacha.”
Trust… he should be truthful. “Thank you. But .. not this next time. Maxine, they’ve caught the last of Zorba’s accomplices.”
“Okay. I trust you to know when the time is right.” A silence. “.... Be safe.”
Hugs have to happen now. “I shall.”