Thursday Charloft Prompts #41-50
9/22/2011: discipline
Time Period: Pre-"Secundus," Victor's teenage years
Notes: This was inspired by a previous prompt reply where Victor had to recount two times he'd been unfaithful, which he chose to interpret as lying/breaking promises. This incident is a result of the second scenario he described, where he'd promised his father he'd be home in time to meet some business associates of his, but got caught up in butterfly sketching and didn't make it back in time. This was William's idea of punishment, and damn effective it was. I'm picturing Victor as 17 during this, so it's not long before his real adventures start. Also, mild foreshadowing/joke at the end?
“Father, please! I need my sketchbook! Don’t t-take it away!”
“I’m sorry, son, but if you can’t be trusted to come to tea on time. . . .”
Victor twisted his tie. He knew he’d done wrong, losing track of the time like that. He had promised to meet Father’s friends. But couldn’t Father see just how cruel this was? That sketchbook was part of his lifeblood. Losing it was like having a limb removed. “Please! What if s-something happens to it?”
“It’ll be fine. You can have it back in a week.”
A week! He’d be mad as a Touched by then.
9/29/2011: intimidation
Time Period: Anytime post-"Secundus" Notes: Marty talks about just how scary Victor can really be. For all that he's a kind, sweet young man, you do NOT want to get on his bad side post-Touched-dom. He can be quite intimidating when he's got the goggles down. One day I'll figure out how to get a proper "scary shiny goggles" picture so I can demonstrate. Until then, use your imagination.
Marty didn’t like to admit it, but Victor intimidated him a little sometimes. He knew it wouldn’t make sense to a lot of people – intimidated by Victor Van Dort? Shy, quiet, gentle Victor? The one who was constantly worrying, tripping over his own feet, stumbling over his words? The Touched who focused almost all his efforts on creating beautiful butterflies? It seemed completely laughable. Absurd.
But those people had never seen Victor pull his goggles down. Never seen the way his eyes disappeared as the lenses reflected the light.
In those moments, Victor was the scariest person in the world.
10/6/2011: secret identity
Time Period: Anytime during "Secundus" (before the shit hits the fan obviously)
Notes: An exploration of something Victor's mentioned in other prompts and his RP life before – although he never really showed it, he's always wanted an adventure like the one he's getting in Secundus. I knew right away that was the sort of thing I wanted to write about, but it took a while to get into shape.
Before, he’d pretended to be perfectly content with his life. He’d put on a facade of being the quiet, docile son, who was just fine with following the path his parents picked for him. He’d acted his part so well, he’d almost believed it himself.
But there was a hidden part of himself – the part that wanted something more. Adventure, excitement, color – those things Burtonsville never had. He’d squished that part down deep, certain it would never get a chance to see the light.
And then he came to Secundus – and he didn’t have to hide his real self anymore.
10/13/2011: fall
Time Period: Pre-"Secundus," Victor's teenage years
Notes: Inspired by a meme I did on my old LJ where a friend asked me to detail five times Victor tripped over his own feet. This was one of the incidents I mentioned, and I thought it was worth a quick story. Poor Victor – being clumsy is never fun.
Victor was used to tripping over his own feet. He’d been doing it for quite a while now, after all. Stumbling and falling was practically old hat.
But there had never been a fall as humiliating as this one. One moment he’d been walking by the fish stall his father maintained in the square – the next he was tipping over, his hands flailing desperately to catch something and break his fall. And they had caught something.
A barrel of fish guts.
Lying there, covered in guts, and hearing the laughter of the other boys, Victor wished he could just disappear.
10/20/2011: storm
Time Period: Post-"Secundus"
Notes: Inspired by the traditional mad scientist cliche about stormy nights. I actually wasn't quite sure where I was going with it when I first started, but I think it ended up in a good place.
“I feel like I should be out in the conservatory.”
Alice arched an eyebrow at him. “In this weather?”
Victor grinned. “I’m a mad scientist, aren’t I? And it’s a stormy night, lightning flashing across the sky. . . .” He waved a hand. “I should be cackling in my laboratory, preparing to harness the raw electricity for some dark purpose.”
Alice laughed. “What would you do? Revive dead butterflies?”
“Well–”
Victor paused, a strange expression crossing his face. Alice immediately saw the danger signs. “No redirecting lightning into the house.”
“No, no, I could probably get away with a static electricity generator. . . .”
10/27/2011: haunted object
Time Period: Post-"Secundus," likely close to Victor's first Halloween there
Notes: I just had to do something featuring the Ghostbusters in some small way. They do exist in Secundus – Victor spotted the steampunk version of their car on his first trip to Wonderland Park. Dunno what inspired me to get their cash register possessed, but I think it works. Wouldn't you be scared of one that growled?
“Ghostbusters – what’s your problem?”
“Oh, good. We need at least one of the doctors over here right away. Something’s gone terribly wrong with our cash register.”
“Could you define ‘terribly wrong?’”
“It’s leaking gooey fluid and keeps opening and closing itself. Also, um, growling. We’re afraid to touch it.”
“Okay, sounds like your typical possessed item. What’s your name and location?”
“I’m Victor Van Dort, and we’re – GAH!”
“Mister Van Dort? Are you all right?”
“It – it – for lack of a better phrase, it slimed me!”
“Don’t worry, that’s happened to Dr. Venkman. Completely harmless.”
“Just send someone over please!”
11/3/2011: not very forthcoming
Time Period: Post-"Secundus 2," young children era
Notes: It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do for this prompt. Eventually, I settled on the whole "no longer talks to his parents" angle, and how his children might react to it. How would you explain all this to your kid?
“Daddy?”
“Yes, Lorina?”
“Uncle Charles said your parents are still alive. Why don’t we ever talk to them?”
Victor paused, wondering what to tell his daughter. Because my parents hate Secundus. Because they don’t approve of what I do for a living. Because they despise the woman I chose to marry. Because they don’t approve of me, of the sort of person I am now.
Because I’m not sure they ever really approved of me at all.
“Daddy?”
“Because. . .it’s very complicated,” he sighed.
He knew it wasn’t much of an answer – but it was the best he could give.
11/10/2011: cleaning up a mess
Time Period: Anytime during "Secundus," after Victor becomes friends with Richard and company
Notes: I initially thought of doing something in Doc's shop, but I couldn't really think of anything good for Victor to spill. So instead I went with this tea party idea. I'm rather fond of Richard's last line, I have to admit.
“Oh! Oh dear, I’m terribly sorry!”
Victor grabbed his napkin – well, the napkin at his current seat – and hurriedly began mopping up the spilt tea. “I didn’t mean to upset that cup, it just sort of happened,” he babbled, embarrassed. “Do forgive me. Oh, I hope it doesn’t stain. . . .”
“Victor!” Richard put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Accidents happen. Do you know how many times March has upset the milk jug into a plate? There’s no need for one of your nervous fits.”
Victor blushed. “Sorry. Just–”
“You being you. Now wring out your napkin and have some tea.”
11/17/2011: conflict resolution
Time Period: During "Secundus," after Nell and William appear in the shop
Notes: Another one done from Nell's perspective. I wanted to look at Victor's favorite method – namely, caving in and/or avoiding the issue – from a different viewpoint. It really came as a shock to her when he finally grew a spine. Being around people who seem to actually care will do that.
Victor was never one for conflict – that Nell Van Dort knew for certain. Victor was always the sort to back down, to run away from adversity. And he really couldn’t stand upsetting people. Which was just fine with Nell – it meant that he rarely protested their plans for him. No, usually he just went along with whatever they decided. Like a good son should.
That was why it was so shocking when he told them no. That he wasn’t coming back to Burtonsville. That he was staying in Secundus.
It had to be mind control. What other explanation was there?
11/24/2011: recipe
Time Period: Post-"Secundus," pre-epilogue (preparing for Victor and Alice's wedding)
Notes: Just a quick bit on March's amazing cooking skills. Happy Thanksgiving!
“Oh, my – what is this recipe?”
“Just something I whipped up on the fly,” March said proudly as Victor attacked the bit of cake he’d brought out. “It’s got chocolate and vanilla and squimberry juice.”
“It’s absolutely delicious,” Victor said, happily swallowing down large bites. “Alice, you ought to taste this! It’ll be perfect!”
“How can I taste it when you’re eating it all?” Alice pointed out.
“I can’t help it. It’s just so good!”
Alice turned to March with a smile and a sigh. “Thank you, March. Now I think he’s marrying me only to get at your cake.”
Time Period: Pre-"Secundus," Victor's teenage years
Notes: This was inspired by a previous prompt reply where Victor had to recount two times he'd been unfaithful, which he chose to interpret as lying/breaking promises. This incident is a result of the second scenario he described, where he'd promised his father he'd be home in time to meet some business associates of his, but got caught up in butterfly sketching and didn't make it back in time. This was William's idea of punishment, and damn effective it was. I'm picturing Victor as 17 during this, so it's not long before his real adventures start. Also, mild foreshadowing/joke at the end?
“Father, please! I need my sketchbook! Don’t t-take it away!”
“I’m sorry, son, but if you can’t be trusted to come to tea on time. . . .”
Victor twisted his tie. He knew he’d done wrong, losing track of the time like that. He had promised to meet Father’s friends. But couldn’t Father see just how cruel this was? That sketchbook was part of his lifeblood. Losing it was like having a limb removed. “Please! What if s-something happens to it?”
“It’ll be fine. You can have it back in a week.”
A week! He’d be mad as a Touched by then.
9/29/2011: intimidation
Time Period: Anytime post-"Secundus" Notes: Marty talks about just how scary Victor can really be. For all that he's a kind, sweet young man, you do NOT want to get on his bad side post-Touched-dom. He can be quite intimidating when he's got the goggles down. One day I'll figure out how to get a proper "scary shiny goggles" picture so I can demonstrate. Until then, use your imagination.
Marty didn’t like to admit it, but Victor intimidated him a little sometimes. He knew it wouldn’t make sense to a lot of people – intimidated by Victor Van Dort? Shy, quiet, gentle Victor? The one who was constantly worrying, tripping over his own feet, stumbling over his words? The Touched who focused almost all his efforts on creating beautiful butterflies? It seemed completely laughable. Absurd.
But those people had never seen Victor pull his goggles down. Never seen the way his eyes disappeared as the lenses reflected the light.
In those moments, Victor was the scariest person in the world.
10/6/2011: secret identity
Time Period: Anytime during "Secundus" (before the shit hits the fan obviously)
Notes: An exploration of something Victor's mentioned in other prompts and his RP life before – although he never really showed it, he's always wanted an adventure like the one he's getting in Secundus. I knew right away that was the sort of thing I wanted to write about, but it took a while to get into shape.
Before, he’d pretended to be perfectly content with his life. He’d put on a facade of being the quiet, docile son, who was just fine with following the path his parents picked for him. He’d acted his part so well, he’d almost believed it himself.
But there was a hidden part of himself – the part that wanted something more. Adventure, excitement, color – those things Burtonsville never had. He’d squished that part down deep, certain it would never get a chance to see the light.
And then he came to Secundus – and he didn’t have to hide his real self anymore.
10/13/2011: fall
Time Period: Pre-"Secundus," Victor's teenage years
Notes: Inspired by a meme I did on my old LJ where a friend asked me to detail five times Victor tripped over his own feet. This was one of the incidents I mentioned, and I thought it was worth a quick story. Poor Victor – being clumsy is never fun.
Victor was used to tripping over his own feet. He’d been doing it for quite a while now, after all. Stumbling and falling was practically old hat.
But there had never been a fall as humiliating as this one. One moment he’d been walking by the fish stall his father maintained in the square – the next he was tipping over, his hands flailing desperately to catch something and break his fall. And they had caught something.
A barrel of fish guts.
Lying there, covered in guts, and hearing the laughter of the other boys, Victor wished he could just disappear.
10/20/2011: storm
Time Period: Post-"Secundus"
Notes: Inspired by the traditional mad scientist cliche about stormy nights. I actually wasn't quite sure where I was going with it when I first started, but I think it ended up in a good place.
“I feel like I should be out in the conservatory.”
Alice arched an eyebrow at him. “In this weather?”
Victor grinned. “I’m a mad scientist, aren’t I? And it’s a stormy night, lightning flashing across the sky. . . .” He waved a hand. “I should be cackling in my laboratory, preparing to harness the raw electricity for some dark purpose.”
Alice laughed. “What would you do? Revive dead butterflies?”
“Well–”
Victor paused, a strange expression crossing his face. Alice immediately saw the danger signs. “No redirecting lightning into the house.”
“No, no, I could probably get away with a static electricity generator. . . .”
10/27/2011: haunted object
Time Period: Post-"Secundus," likely close to Victor's first Halloween there
Notes: I just had to do something featuring the Ghostbusters in some small way. They do exist in Secundus – Victor spotted the steampunk version of their car on his first trip to Wonderland Park. Dunno what inspired me to get their cash register possessed, but I think it works. Wouldn't you be scared of one that growled?
“Ghostbusters – what’s your problem?”
“Oh, good. We need at least one of the doctors over here right away. Something’s gone terribly wrong with our cash register.”
“Could you define ‘terribly wrong?’”
“It’s leaking gooey fluid and keeps opening and closing itself. Also, um, growling. We’re afraid to touch it.”
“Okay, sounds like your typical possessed item. What’s your name and location?”
“I’m Victor Van Dort, and we’re – GAH!”
“Mister Van Dort? Are you all right?”
“It – it – for lack of a better phrase, it slimed me!”
“Don’t worry, that’s happened to Dr. Venkman. Completely harmless.”
“Just send someone over please!”
11/3/2011: not very forthcoming
Time Period: Post-"Secundus 2," young children era
Notes: It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do for this prompt. Eventually, I settled on the whole "no longer talks to his parents" angle, and how his children might react to it. How would you explain all this to your kid?
“Daddy?”
“Yes, Lorina?”
“Uncle Charles said your parents are still alive. Why don’t we ever talk to them?”
Victor paused, wondering what to tell his daughter. Because my parents hate Secundus. Because they don’t approve of what I do for a living. Because they despise the woman I chose to marry. Because they don’t approve of me, of the sort of person I am now.
Because I’m not sure they ever really approved of me at all.
“Daddy?”
“Because. . .it’s very complicated,” he sighed.
He knew it wasn’t much of an answer – but it was the best he could give.
11/10/2011: cleaning up a mess
Time Period: Anytime during "Secundus," after Victor becomes friends with Richard and company
Notes: I initially thought of doing something in Doc's shop, but I couldn't really think of anything good for Victor to spill. So instead I went with this tea party idea. I'm rather fond of Richard's last line, I have to admit.
“Oh! Oh dear, I’m terribly sorry!”
Victor grabbed his napkin – well, the napkin at his current seat – and hurriedly began mopping up the spilt tea. “I didn’t mean to upset that cup, it just sort of happened,” he babbled, embarrassed. “Do forgive me. Oh, I hope it doesn’t stain. . . .”
“Victor!” Richard put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Accidents happen. Do you know how many times March has upset the milk jug into a plate? There’s no need for one of your nervous fits.”
Victor blushed. “Sorry. Just–”
“You being you. Now wring out your napkin and have some tea.”
11/17/2011: conflict resolution
Time Period: During "Secundus," after Nell and William appear in the shop
Notes: Another one done from Nell's perspective. I wanted to look at Victor's favorite method – namely, caving in and/or avoiding the issue – from a different viewpoint. It really came as a shock to her when he finally grew a spine. Being around people who seem to actually care will do that.
Victor was never one for conflict – that Nell Van Dort knew for certain. Victor was always the sort to back down, to run away from adversity. And he really couldn’t stand upsetting people. Which was just fine with Nell – it meant that he rarely protested their plans for him. No, usually he just went along with whatever they decided. Like a good son should.
That was why it was so shocking when he told them no. That he wasn’t coming back to Burtonsville. That he was staying in Secundus.
It had to be mind control. What other explanation was there?
11/24/2011: recipe
Time Period: Post-"Secundus," pre-epilogue (preparing for Victor and Alice's wedding)
Notes: Just a quick bit on March's amazing cooking skills. Happy Thanksgiving!
“Oh, my – what is this recipe?”
“Just something I whipped up on the fly,” March said proudly as Victor attacked the bit of cake he’d brought out. “It’s got chocolate and vanilla and squimberry juice.”
“It’s absolutely delicious,” Victor said, happily swallowing down large bites. “Alice, you ought to taste this! It’ll be perfect!”
“How can I taste it when you’re eating it all?” Alice pointed out.
“I can’t help it. It’s just so good!”
Alice turned to March with a smile and a sigh. “Thank you, March. Now I think he’s marrying me only to get at your cake.”