Jotunheim

[ngm_miscellaneous]

The portal from Vincent's magic opened on one of the middle levels of the Norse universe. Snow crunched under boots and bare feet as the Avengers assembled in the realm of giants. The sharp, craggy land was as welcoming as an ice pick between the shoulder blades. But out there in the cold and blowing landscape was a young girl waiting to be rescued.

Comments

[ngm_adults]

See, if there were actual subjugating, Kristoff could work with that better than dealing with this. If he had a brother who actually functioned as a normal American superhero, he could, however perplexed, work with that. It's doing things be halves that gets to him. It's very clear that somewhere, somehow, Father's alternate went horribly wrong as a parent.

"May I ask why you left?"

[vincent_amora]

"My father had me bound to a wall in a pocket dimension after I failed to kill him. He claimed my attempt to take over Battleworld had failed as well, but the fight was not over yet. I found a way out after a while, started dimension jumping. This was the first place anyone took me in."

He mutters under his breath. "'I do not tolerate assassination attempts. Especially from my family.'"

[ngm_adults]

"Well, he and Father have that in common, at least. Well, in general. There is no basis for comparison for family, as neither Auhild nor I have ever posed a threat. Family, I would presume, is the reason you were imprisoned rather than executed. at any rate, shall I lay out the conditions under which I may not use every tactical and legal recourse I can bring to bear in ensuring that Audhild is kept safely in Latveria?"

[vincent_amora]

"I have no way to stop you that would not be in exceedingly poor taste and stupid besides, so proceed." Vincent looks up at Kristoff.

[ngm_adults]

"Firt report to Jones as expected. Judging even on the little I saw, an on the expressions of the Avengers as they departed the scene, he will have a lot to say to you." Kristoff looks at him intently. "If you attempt to argue with him about the matter, you had best be preparing to begin a process of bending the man completely to your will and do so successfully. If you want to be in control, you have to be prepared to go all the way. Do not hide behind American ethics unless you actually possess them. Do not expect to get the emotional benefits of being 'better' than an autocrat simultaneous to the tactical benefit of being an autocrat. Once he has said his piece, you will take the 'leave of absence' that I hope Jones will insist upon, but you will take it regardless. Second, get your house in order. Secure your income however you like. I am quite willing to provide financial support for Audhild if necessary, so do not become too embroiled unnecessarily in financial details to the point where it could become a detriment. The focus is Audhild. Secure your residence through every means available. Make sure she's feeling secure, and that she has a brother capable of realizing that some things are Not About Him."

[vincent_amora]

Vincent chews all that over, finding it tough and bitter, but swallowing it nonetheless.

"I understand... Kristoff. Audhild is the only thing that matters."

[ngm_adults]

"Excellent. I will stay with her right now while you go face your consequences."

[vincent_amora]

"I'm going..." Vincent lurches to his feet and then rises out the skylight. Rather than his usual path of flight, he walks across the sky back to Avengers Mansion to give himself time to think. He descends on the inside of the fence as if going down a staircase, before walking up to the front door and knocking.