He was told several times, a hundred times – if not even more – to leave behind whatever trapped him, that kept him in a state not able to step over something that happened in the past... like he would have been cursed to some sort of isolation (in fact, he was). But at first, they didn't know anything about him – especially his sister, the main source of those assumptions – and on the other hand, in a way it was a literal curse, and being alone was the only way to keep the distance. (Besides, meanwhile, he could enjoy being on his own, away from anything else, and only being himself…)
But right now, the thought that maybe, in another time, with another version of him, during another – better – circumstances this present, the slight little moment could mean more, not just an unfortunate forced scenario... it filled with him hope. Maybe... but no. He couldn't let his mind wonder about such mirages. Because currently it might have looked – and felt – like a normal dream-like image, but the background was more than just a daily, peaceful, so much heartful occasion. And the teenager wasn't his boy, as much as it could have been possible too...
"These are disturbingly identical slices," Vlad commented, not even realising he actually said out the words, as he took from the younger the cutting board with the pile of peppers. The only reaction was a shy shrug, but he knew it was rather about distraction, occupying the consciousness with something utterly irrelevant during the current situation.
As the boy's hands weren't kept busy with something to do, he started again to be nervous. Vlad took a glimpse towards the stove, measuring how much time it would need to the pasta, and relieved as he spotted, only a minute or maybe a little bit more was needed only. The least he wanted to see Daniel being stressed out again. It had taken almost three minutes to snap him out of the mindless gazing towards the hallway. Luckily, when he had said if they had finished quicker with the 'ordered' spaghetti, the sooner both of them would be free, that had made the necessary impact. It hadn't looked it convinced the boy much, but then they had moved, and Vlad had tried to get the ingredients as fast as possible to occupy Daniel's mind with work. Though, against his hopes, it rather turned out as an obvious silently tensed up ten minutes, mainly filled with his describing what to do. But at least it was better than watching the teen being on the edge of his nerves again.
"All right," Vlad gave up then, recognising until the sauce got done, it would take a few more minutes too. And during that time, unfortunately, they would have nothing else to do but patiently waiting over it. And for young Daniel, silence would be the worse, only enlightening the background of their co-operated cooking beyond just 'peacefully' making pasta as a simple daily activity. And either Vlad could resist any more to enquire about the so-called future self's attendance. "Will you tell me why is he here or should I start guessing?" Vlad took the question.
For a moment, no response came and it didn't seem the words reached the teen, but then after a long breath, the younger answered. "I have seriously no idea... I thought- I thought I knew but- I'm not sure anymore." was it acknowledged as Daniel's brows puzzled drew together.
It sounded like the previous assumption calmed the boy down a bit, and this cloudiness now made him even more troublesome. Vlad wanted to ask what was the first case, but according to their introduction-like talking, it gave a hint: not being aware of what it was about almost felt better. As evidence stood, there had to be a legitimate reason for Daniel to title someone as his 'evil future self', not to mention the older version of the boy hinted that it was a grounded appellation, as exaggerated it felt.
"And I don't know either what he wants from you." the young teen spilt then, with a tone that suggested that uncertainty was bothering him the most, almost apologising over not being aware of the reason. Vlad got surprised that seemingly Daniel was worried about him behind those words, althought, it wasn't directly voiced aloud. "Jazz said he is not here to cause any trouble but-"
"You don't believe him."
The teenager nodded, cracking the bones in his hand, which meant, Vlad only had a brief time before Daniel couldn't be able to stay on the spot and would go searching for his sister and his elder variation. He also knew he couldn't explain anyhow to the young hybrid that the future boy didn't mean any threat to the girl. Or if Vlad had tried that would have just fallen on deaf ears. The hatred and distrust were too clear in Daniel about his older version to listen to any other case. Jasmine noticeably could mean the only control over the two boys, balancing between each greatly, protecting them from each other. Just as it was remarkable, if she hadn't been there, they would have definitely jumped at the other's throat. To keep in mind that fact, Vlad rather decided to avoid mentioning the boy's older self in front of Daniel. Maybe trying to get any information about the future version's presence here and turning to the main source could mean more success and certainly less trouble for the younger teen too.
"I don't," Daniel admitted then, gazing at the boiling up sauce, like that would mean any escape from the conversation. "I told Jazz everything about him, but-"
"She is your sister." Vlad interrupted, "it doesn't matter to her if you are older or not, done 'evil' things, or you try to disappear, and getting out of reach, she will be always your big sister and sisters are like that, my boy. Incapable to step over their protectiveness, and role as a second parental figure, checking on endlessly even if the one specifically requests not to. Such stubbornness is embedded in them."
"Speaking from experience?" peeked at him weirdly at a sudden a pair of blue eyes.
"Frankly?" Vlad sighed discerned, realising he must have said too much. "Sadly, yes… thought I doubt Jasmine could turn out ever as frustrating as Sissy is," he said, giving a swirl to the sauce. It smelled almost done, and fortunately, that meant too, he didn't have to chat about family members more than he wanted to. It wouldn't be ever a perfect time for that. For a slight second, it really seemed like it could be avoided too, but he wasn't that lucky…
"You really do have a sister, don't you?" the recognition sounded dumbfounded. "I- I always imagined you are- that you are- I mean…" the troubled look told the boy struggled to put together the words decently, trying to say those out less rudely.
"Alone? An only child? That I am completely on my own?" Vlad guessed. The young teenager embarrassed nodded, looking awkward even if he wasn't the one who voiced it.
"Uh- yes?"
It really seemed the boy got distracted by that newly learned information. In a way, it was comical, and yes, it might have been disturbing too, finding out some kind of similarities between them (above the shared hybrid fate), or something as a 'weak spot', some sort of 'humanity', when technically they counted as enemies…
"No," Vlad shook his head, giving out the short version of his state. "I have an older sister. Two years older. Just as you and Jasmine are." he described, tapping on his chin thoughtfully during the following parts "If I remember well, I have a niece and a nephew too. She is loving talking about them when she is here. Sometimes it feels they are more than two, a dozen rather. Maybe they are three by now? Or four? Hard to tell. Once she rambled three hours about twins. But that could be cousins too or their friends'. Seriously, it's really hard to follow. I think, one of their colleagues is Jerry, or her husband is Jerry? I don't know, and to tell the truth, I really don't care either. I gave up keep in track with the names after her second boyfriend, and that was like thirty years ago…"
"And your parents?" Vlad heard the question, staring at the boy, who tried to act like he wouldn't be interested in the response at all.
"Alive," Vlad replied shortly. "But for them, that condition hardly mean any difference. They got stuck in a state, I'm still in college. Very lovely explaining them everything every single time. Once, I lied. You can imagine how great speech I got from my sister after that… barely she could understand there is a wide gap between us. Lying would be better. It doesn't count what I do I always end up with a speech. I'm getting very tired of that by now."
For a long second, there was just silence, strengthening the awkwardness or the sudden flow of unknown personal data. Vlad couldn't tell how this came from now, spilling such things, but- probably, it had to be about that making pasta created an almost natural atmosphere around them, giving an illusion that they weren't else just simply humans filling time over making dinner…
"It doesn't change on anything, Daniel", he stated then "and I highly doubt my family background could alter on anything between us." to that, he got a thoughtful frown, but then the boy scratched his forehead, realising.
"That's… that's right." the teenager came across. "It doesn't change on anything." but evidently it got stuck in the younger's mind. Why had he even hinted at having a sister? But to be honest, Vlad could see it. Jasmine was so protective, even being acceptive of her brother's secret, handling easily the future self of the boy, and- she was just like his sister never was.
"Maybe once we could talk about that, but I don't think right now is the best time. Momentarily the only question is: you or he got involved in Clockwork's meddling, and how can I help you to get you out of his eyes?" Vlad changed the subject to the relevant issue, reminding himself about everything around them. And indeed, he would be more than willing to do anything if that meant the boy (or the boy's older self) would be freed from that fiend's noxious scheming.
To the words, he got nothing but bulged eyes. Vlad immediately could identify the reason without those could have been put it into words. "I know him." he defined to the teen. "But you – both of you, actually – are too young to suffer under his hands. Whatever your older self wants from me, Daniel, it doesn't matter if it means you'd be out of Clockwork's periphery. I'll help you or him. Clockwork is evil, you might not realise it yet, but believe me, you don't want to learn how much he is. He'd destroy timelines without even a twitch of an eye. If you consider your older self 'evil', Clockwork is way beyond that appellation."
"You- you met with him." stuttered the teenager in bafflement, after a short break.
Vlad sighed, but not giving out any further detail about his case. "Under some unfortunate circumstances, yes, I met with him. Not face to face, but I can recognise his plotting." to that, he got an almost concerned look, but he couldn't stand that sudden sympathy, not from those bright eyes that so many years earlier gazed at him like- like he would have known it. Seeing Daniel… sometimes was just too controversial. And right now, Vlad couldn't let his mind disappear into those thoughts and into the what-ifs again. What happened had happened. What he had done, was done. And witnessing everything now on the right path… might have been hard, yes, but- even if it haunted him, so many times, and still, sometimes in the present too, he knew he had made the right decision. Attempting to step over those things, he took a deep breath and rather glimpsed at the stove, putting together why he and Daniel were currently in the kitchen, patiently spending time over something.
"Pasta is ready." Vlad nodded towards the pot, coming back to the present, and telling the boy the further actions by that. At the same time, he switched off the fire under the sauce. It smelt a bit burnt. Obviously, he blamed nothing but their conversation for that. Lengthening so long, touching sensitive subjects that shouldn't have been ever told, grabbing their attention more than they could have perfectly watched over the food. Luckily, it was just a bit burnt, and for the others who didn't know the taste of it might have not been spotted either, or at least Vlad tried to believe in that. But the note came to his mind, as the future boy had mentioned it was liked by him. Surely then, older Daniel would spot it. To that, Vlad dissatisfied grimaced, only then catching a slight hissing from the right to him.
"It's hot," Vlad commented, but then added without a beat a moment later. "The steam too." but that was already late. Vlad put down to the table the sauce and then with a disapproved shaking of the head turned towards the younger. At least the pasta wasn't wasted into the sink, only landing into the already prepared colander. "Do you realise, right, the gloves are exactly right here?" Vlad showed a finger over the sink, to the hanged potholder. "I know you must be distracted, Daniel, but that's for the gloves," he lectured, trying to measure the damage over the maniac massaging. "Let me see it." he reached out to the injured hand, but the teenager was quicker, slipping out of the place entirely.
"I'm fine!"
"Daniel!" to that, surprisingly the teen stopped, and a moment later raised up his arms in the air.
"What's the difference?!" he exclaimed. "Why do you care now, when you didn't care earlier at all? Why is it important now? Just because you are in human form? It means no difference! There is no damn difference. There is no way things could be just changed like that!"
For a second Vlad wasn't sure how to react to this abrupt outburst, but then, it set together: it wasn't about him. It was about the boy's future self. Daniel just couldn't let his anger out to the right person that fired him up in real, and now, he was just projecting to the other one who already put him into his nerves.
"You're right." Vlad exhaled then, answering the young ghost even if he wasn't the target behind the outbreak. "But there is a difference," he specified, unnoticed checking the boy's hand meanwhile. For his luck, there was no sight of a burning mark, or any redder spot that told the teen got injured. So then Vlad much calmer continued. "Even if we are part ghosts, my boy, I have no intention of hurting you as a human. I'm actually against violence. Our fights as ghosts are different. If once things would turn out differently, and you would be as human, me as Plasmius, I wouldn't hurt you. Just as I have no intention of letting you get hurt under my watch ever." he closed the clarification, to that, Daniel shocked lowered his arms.
"What?"
"Not important," Vlad mumbled then, stepping instead to the sink, grabbing the colander with the pasta, and looking at the boy, as he described the direction. "Second from the left is my study. Could you tell Jasmine and your older self, dinner is ready?" he asked. For a little time, the only he got was a confused blinking, but then the words sunk, and the teenager as fast as possible left the room. Vlad relieved a sigh and placed the pasta in the middle of the table.
It was strange, making the table for others too, but- yes, right, during the reunion he had had visitors, but this, now, was so much different, reminding himself for something- well, something not possible. Putting down each plate and silverware one after the other, wondering at the meantime how this 'ordered' dinner would happen with Daniel and his sister now, without their parents, all of them knowing about the boy's secret identity… and-
The fact that Daniel had protected his alias from Jasmine suddenly appeared in his mind. He still wasn't sure why the teen had lied. But right now, there were many other things to worry about, and on the other hand, looking back, it rather felt like an automatic response. Maybe the young ghost hadn't been aware at all he was protecting his secret in real.
And yes, at the present, adding to the boy's future version to the unexpected company, surely, that would create an interesting turn too to consume the dinner. Not even thinking about what Jasmine had spilt about the man: 'ended up here', along with the other voiced notes: 'so that's why both of you are so sensitive about him', 'old man'... The figure knew him, not him, but his older version and they came here, to him, for help… that slight detail couldn't let Vlad's mind rest. He turned the forks into the right angle, every one of those, like perfection would ease on his messy mind. It didn't help, but it kept his focusing occupied until the trio arrived. What they should talk about anyway? Ghosts? Perfecting the lie Daniel had told his sister? Enquiring about the future self? It still wasn't clear how much Jasmine knew, but surely, somehow at a certain level, it was unfolded to her, at least one thing or another, drawing out the possibility to the elder self to be here...
And then, the recognition hit him. The mess in his mind assembled into a system. The portal… the Fenton's portal… it wasn't a bug in his programming. There was no moving through the portal, because of him! Even ghosts could tell if someone else had to be missed, if someone was more strong than them… That was why there was no one around Pariah's place, and they had avoided it like the plague, feeling the peril within, which meant… Daniel was right. The man indeed was dangerous.
Ghosts could sense threats like animals, not coming into someone else's territory. That was also why Daniel had so many 'fights'. They couldn't tell yet where the boy was in their pyramid or hierarchal structure. But the future self… Daniel must have built up a strong ecto-signature if ghosts kept away from him – from his ten years older version. Still though, Vlad doubted in the overstated tilting. There was no way, it would be fitting for Daniel, whatever happened – would happen – with him in the future. There was just no possibility for the boy to turn evil. That was nothing but the teenager's blind hatred, nothing less and nothing more. Not even, as Jasmine's description enlightened, if Daniel would have ended up at his place. (However, the fear that somehow, he corrupted the boy's mind, Vlad just couldn't peace with it, but no. There was no option for that either. If once Daniel had in real ended up at his place, that- he knew that would change on everything, just as right now, he was on to change on things too, if once- but at this moment, he couldn't let his mind thinking about his project, especially if currently there was something more bothering to focus on. More distressing anyway…)
For a moment nothing happened, leaving Vlad running some theories in his mind about the future boy – more specified about the future boy's past – but then, he recognised too much time had elapsed. Either Daniel didn't find the room – which sounded ridiculous –, or his guests were discussing something, using that he was out of earshot now. Before he could have started worrying about the alternatives, a plainly fuming teenager got back to the room with heavy steps that was almost unimaginable for the boy's ghost state, thus quite weightless existence even in human form.
"What happened?" Vlad enquired after the visibly furious teen's behaviour, who seemingly was near to spontaneously blowing up, panting wrathfully with crossed arms. Vlad was sure, if that had been the case, it could help Daniel to attack something, not holding back his energy, just to get rid of the hatred that was gathering in him. "Daniel." he tried again, playing in his mind to tell him to transform to Phantom and let out some ectoblasts or something. Such devouring anger had to be released, or else-
"I hate him being here!" the ghost boy exclaimed then, raising up his arms. "I just- I just hate him!" was it told, hardly describing what induced his sudden change of demeanour. Vlad didn't have to be a genius to see the only thing that could help the boy, to give him space. At least the shouting visibly helped him a little, making him after that only frustratingly mumbling under his nose.
"All right." Vlad breathed out, realising then according to Daniel's current state, he was the one who had to go after the other two guests. He hoped while the teen was alone, that would calm the boy down, not seeing anyone annoying in his vision that could make a trigger. Probably, it wasn't the most thrilling scenario to come here either, but still, Daniel had to, based on the older version's labelling. It had to be about watching over his future self and not letting alone with Jasmine. By that, it became quite obvious what made the boy flip off that much. Just as, as he stepped inside the study room, his hypothesis became grounded too.
Vlad coughed to get the two figures attention, waiting then until they draw apart and the embarrassment reached a bearable level that he, in fact, didn't cut into the middle of something personal.
"Dinner is ready," Vlad announced then, explaining his attendance and interrupting – though, if the future boy was indeed Daniel's elder self, then some kind of ghost sense could alert him in time about his arriving. For a second, the idea if that was the case, maybe it could be recognised by Jasmine too. But then Vlad put together if that was it, even if the boy protected his secret, but it was just a matter of time for the girl to see the picture. The whole secrecy about his same ghost-state was nothing else but moving around the unavoidable, and the turning point from now could happen anytime.
Vlad lifted his head towards the future boy, as expecting to say something, but the older version remained unmoved, only running his nail uncomfortably on his arms, like- like his attendance would have bothered him. "You told me to tell if dinner is ready. It's ready." Vlad said then, recalling to the figure the earlier demanded statement. It felt better describing it, than trying to figure out why it felt like his presence meant trouble for the other.
"Okay…" mumbled the man, scratching then his temple, but still avoiding eye contact. "Fair enough." he avowed after a beat, but then changed back to the almost used to argumentative attitude he was showing towards everyone else, but to Jasmine. "But I meant, after dinner, when you all are finished with that." was it corrected, like Vlad would have missed the small print the entire time.
"You should have been more specific then." Vlad came back. To that, the bright blue gaze widened, baffled by the retort, as if that would be a fool's bravery trying with something like that against him. But before the older boy could have said anything, the words reached Vlad. "After dinner? So, you won't join us." suddenly he couldn't tell he got relieved or disappointed by that fact.
"You won't?" questioned Jasmine too.
"What's the point?" the figure shrugged, but then to the girl's waiting face, he elaborated, scracthing his neck as if it would be awkward saying the further aloud. "I can't- I can't taste some things, Jazz. And I don't have any fancy right now, playing Russian roulette if I am able to taste it or not. I- he- really enjoyed that, so I-" he stopped, taking a breath, and pinching his nose, like having an inner debate over it. "Just enjoy your meal and send back Masters once you're done, all right?" he concluded then.
For a long second, only the silence was present. Jasmine visibly was trying to form the thoughts, but then changed her mind several times, following with her eyes the older. The man probably was not recognising anything from it, as he stepped to the smaller table, grabbing the book Vlad earlier had seen in his hands, and then he took a seat into his armchair, one leg pulled up, other resting on the top of the ottoman. The scene seemed as nothing would change soon, Jasmine was too persistent to leave the said things uncommented, while her brother's alternation was way too stubborn to change his mind about joining them based on some lacking. Maybe it was in real about losing his senses. For a minute Vlad wondered, if he had lost his tasting, maybe he wouldn't even have found any enjoyment witnessing other's eating his once favourite food either. He almost could understand the distancing. Almost. But hardly it was about that.
"Jasmine," Vlad called the red-haired teenager, catching as she just slowly turned her vision towards him from the taller guest. "You can still find the way inside, right?" he inquired. The older teen just after a second perceived it, getting what he meant by that. Jasmine took a last check at the seated figure, who already looked lost in turning leisurely one page after another, awfully pretending something blatantly translucent, but then she nodded.
"All right then," Vlad thanked for the silent cooperation. "Dinner is served. You can leave the dishes behind; I'll do those later," he said, adding. "The guests' rooms are the same as before, if you need anything, I'm sure Daniel could quite easily find me." Vlad wasn't sure the name or the statement grabbed the other's attention to make him jerk his head up with a confused raised up eyebrow. "I'm not hungry." Vlad described immediately to the puzzled look.
The man opened his mouth, but then closed it, eyes searching for the girl's as if he would be asking for permission or verification from her. If everything else was just enlightening the future boy's bad manners, then now it clearly told that was just the surface, and there was more under it. It confirmed too the strong connection between the two – not that the previous, slightly witnessed embracing wouldn't have done that already. Now, Vlad understood why young Daniel was showing so much unlikeness towards his elder self. The entitled 'evilness' not just didn't make any effect on his sister, but she strictly stepped over it. For a moment, it almost made Vlad thinking about calling Cecilie, but at first, that was an exaggerated reaction to such sibling bonding and on the other hand, luckily that urge died away a second later.
Just as if the future boy had gotten a calling signal, he slapped closed the book, hastily getting up and taking a few steps, pausing then next to the fireplace, tapping with his fingers on the mantel. "Any second thought?" was it approached as a reassurance, but by the tone, hardly any word was expected. That was rather a rhetorical question, covering impatience, as he meanwhile absently put a hand on the ball-formed ornament, running his vision back and forth within them. Vlad narrowed his eyes as he put together where exactly the future boy was standing, and why the figure's gazing returned to the teenager again and again.
"Jasmine," Vlad turned to the girl. "I think we'll be fine."
The youngster hesitatingly glanced at the older, to that the fingers around the object got loose, not underpinning that the hold could have any further meaning over a simple, comfortable resting. A moment passed, then another, but then, Jasmine turned around her heels, just as to then, at the last moment when she almost left the room, she stopped at the doorframe.
"Jazz, what is it?" threw at her a slightly fretted tone.
"Just try to be nice, okay?" she asked, not caring much with the snapping voice. "I'm serious, Danny. Try to be a little nicer with Vlad. It won't kill either of you or make things harder." Vlad took a look at the man, by the unpleasant grunting, the request wasn't even considered. "Got it, or not?" the teenager said, expecting an agreeing reaction, with as much a serious tone, that against even Vlad didn't dare to act. For a long moment, nothing happened, but then, after a long growling, the answer came.
"Fine! I'll try to be nicer. Now, could you move?" gave the man a meaningful look, the only reaction was a satisfied smile, but a second later, they finally were left alone. As an unmistakable click sound came, Vlad snapped his head back to the man, who with a rather common look, stared at him. "Shall we go then?" was a hand moved invitingly towards the supposedly secret entry of the lab.
Vlad could have got surprised how it was known for the elder version of the teen boy, but every time, when his mind spotted something that only he should have been aware of, the reminder that the figure was young Daniel's future alteration cleared those thoughts. After all, who knew what happened – would happen – with Daniel then, and there was that fact Jasmine had said 'ended up here'… Something had to occur to the boy, right? Something-
The image of a terrible outcome completely petrified him. What if- it wasn't a plain 'came to here', not, it was an 'ended up here' with a final, permanent ringing. Maybe- maybe the boy had talked about his ghost state to their parents, maybe they had disowned him, maybe- maybe they had even hurt him, haunted him and… 'ended up here'… why Jasmine's words had a very strong impression that something like that was behind it? Just as she had thought he was helping Daniel dealing with being part-ghost like he would be the only one who could help if- if the things turned out wrong…
"Masters," called him the figure, realising he stopped on the stairs, dropping behind. "could you move?"
"What happened?" Vlad was horrified by the appeared imaginable scenes in his mind how could the young boy be injured by some furious ghost-hunters' inventions, believing the spectre was impersonating their boy all along.
The bright vision looked to him at first peeved by the stalling, but then the eyebrows ran together, scratching his temple. "It's a- it's a bit broad question. Could you elaborate?"
To that, Vlad was almost stunned, how that could be a large field? Obviously, he was referring to- "Jasmine said you ended up here, and that you are quite sensitive regarding me." he said then, clarifying it, still confounded about the last part. The blue eyes almost scarily blinked at him.
"Great. What else she told you?" he commented then wryly, with an uncomfortable twitch of a mouth, crossing his arms over his chest. It wasn't about being pissed off at the girl, it felt more like seeing through the curtains, about some probably personal things, that supposedly he didn't want to get revealed.
"She just said that, nothing else." Vlad cleared to the nearly frightened look, covered with the by now quite used to annoyed petulant attitude. For the correction, the man visibly got relieved, calmed by Vlad didn't know the rest – as if this now couldn't tell it was indeed about something horrible which could lead to such thing, Daniel to come to him as an only possible way. But there was another part he couldn't understand… "Jasmine asked if I was Plasmius, but Daniel… he lied to her," Vlad recalled, inquiring if the future boy could give an explanation to him.
"If you are asking…" the man started. "I would have done the same." as Vlad took a furrowed look towards the figure, it got continued. "It's not his secret to share and- and I think it was partly because of me. He didn't want to make the current situation even worse, or to scare Jazz even more." he described, running his eyes around the space musingly, but then stopped, certainly on a thought. "Or-"
"Or?" the suddenly pursued lips told the third scenario disquited the older boy, as much that it needed almost an entire minute to finish the sentence.
"Or he was just trying to protect you by that from me…" was it unfolded then, with a slightly pained tone.
"I can't see how that's related." it came out, but Vlad realised hardly he could understand the whole within the two boys, especially that it seemed the future version was intended to make a note to it, but then with a headshake closed the issue from further questioning. But that just led back the conversation to the previous part. As long as the circumstance of Daniel's 'ending up' at his place wouldn't be explained, Vlad couldn't rest. At least he had to know if that was about something- tragical. "Could you tell me then what happened, why Jasmine said-?"
The figure turned back to him, pausing at the stairs again. The words were nearly there, right at the tip of the tongue, almost audible, but then- he just moved back without any sound of explication. Vlad was sure maybe it was about something recent, still unsettling to talk about, a sore subject, so then he rather didn't press it further.
"All right," Vlad changed the subject instead, inquiring about the other disturbing part. "Daniel said-" the figure abruptly halted, tilting his head back, muting a frustrated moan and and backing around as fast that it was almost threatening, like inciting a lion and expecting it wouldn't act against it.
"You won't shut it, right?!"
"Is it how you being nice?" Vlad lashed back to the unmistakeably bursting out and raised up tone. To the clenched in fists, he wasn't sure testing the patience of the so-called 'evil future self' was the wisest decision – as ridiculous that titling still sounded, but evidently, there was a high tendency to easily jump on anything that bothered him. After an irritated snarling, and a second of readjusting, followed by a long breath, the balled hands got released.
"Listen… just because Jazz asked it, I won't-" the detailing suddenly trailed off, kept going differently a moment later. "She can't understand it at all! She thinks it's about him, but it's not. It's not just about that. Every single time you open your mouth, I hear myself. Especially here. Just- just give me damn two minutes, okay? To- to put together this all, or just- separate it. Then I- I don't know, I'll give some answers to your stupid questions too. Just- just shut up a little, all right? Please."
To then, Vlad remained quiet, giving the future boy space and a little time, not because he nearly begged for it, it was- it was rather about processing the words. Jasmine was right, first of all, they must have been exhausted enough after a four-hour-long drive – not even talking about, who knew how they had dealt with each other before that. But on the other hand, it was indeed about sensitivity. Certainly, Daniel disliked his older self for some sort of yet unknown reason – over the 'knows my worst' wording –, but him… How did he earn this unique behaviour?
The next few steps – who knew getting down to his lab would feel once this long – spent in dead silence, but then Vlad pieced together it wasn't just Daniel to be so delighted to come here, undoubtedly it meant trouble for the older version too. But beyond that, beyond the unfriendly and loathed company… decidedly the young hybrid wasn't just joined them to 'watch over him', it was planned too. If the older knew Daniel wouldn't trust him, then-
"You need Daniel too, don't you?" Vlad questioned, hardly needing any confirmation. Yes, that was it. He even dared to say, that was behind Daniel's hatred and irritability towards Jasmine and the future boy's great connection. Using the girl's heart to lead the younger… this was amazing, not even counting that seeing the scene priorly within the two, the aim was the same, but it also became stronger as time went. Now, Jasmine would definitely do anything for him, even if that meant she had to act against her own sibling.
The man paused but didn't turn back. "Yes… I need Danny too." was it admitted, but then he refined, as an addition under his nose. "But I'll let him decide if he wants to help me or not. I don't want to force him or anything."
"Of course…" to that, the figure snapped his head back, mainly by the mistrustful tone, and even, that was Vlad wanted to, getting the other's attention. The bright eyes marked him like those would have said to explain the doubting in his intentions. "I'm not a fool," Vlad pointed. "and certainly not as blind as you think I am." a surprisedly lifted eyebrow told the future boy wasn't expecting a lecturing, but over that he didn't say anything. "I'm not interested in stopping you, I'm not Daniel, but assuming I wouldn't recognise a plotting if I see one… that was a thoughtless idea, don't you think?" adding that he was highly amazed an older version of the teen could be capable to create scenarios like this and leading everyone by their nose. (Luckily that almost proud thought was kept inside.)
The future boy rubbed his neck, it wasn't clear, it was an embarrassed reaction, getting caught on the root of the whole situation, or- "Yeah, that's- that's true… I need Danny regardless."
"And may I ask what for?" Vlad enquired, using wisely that now the man was willing to giving some replies to his interrogation, or at least giving out some sort of information why they had to come here. And beyond that, he had to know if it was about hurting the teen.
For a second, nothing happened, it was expected another closing out, and turning back without any further word, but then after a deep sigh, the older boy started. "Fine. That would be hard anyway to help me without knowing what I am looking for." was it acknowledged. "I'll need him as a perfectly working stable base. I need to know how I could have out his ghost half and how his halves could stay permanently separated, and…" and it kept going, but the rest of the words hardly reached him. Vlad literally petrified, the possibilities were crawling up on his spine like a freezing cold snake. Was it- was it doable? He gave up wondering about such miracle years ago and- yes, unfortunately, the contamination affected as much the biological structure that now, it was unimaginable to exist without that, but- Then it clogged together. The all.
The man was Daniel's future self, somehow had 'ended up' at his place – it wasn't that hard to figure out why – and according to young Daniel's denomination, he was the teen's 'evil future self', which meant… it was not just possible, but also the evidence for that theory was now standing right in front of him. No wonder, Daniel was indignant at his older version that much. The future boy was on to avoid a disastrous outcome and get rid of his younger self's ghost side before the things would have turned out wrong, and 'end up' here as nowhere else to go after if a catastrophe had already happened.
"You are Daniel's separated part." Vlad discerned, still astonished by this fact, cutting in the still kept on the description with the conclusion. Yes, that was it. All made sense now. "You are his human side," he expanded to the sudden stopped speaking, startled by the interruption or to the fact he wasn't paying attention at all during the whole speech.
From the halted hand in the air, that visibly was moving until this time during the explanation and by the rapid blinking, Vlad was sure he got to the heart of the matter, but then after a minute of processing the shock or his words, a creeping up smirk made him uncertain about the deduction. Was he wrong? No, that had to be it. The man was in flesh. If such removing was possible then the ghost part had to fade out, right? After all, their ghost side was nothing else but a manifestation of a stronger ecto-contamination, forming into something similar like their human existence, amalgamating with the whole DNA like an unchangeable hereditary… But the cracking up, that not a bit reflected a self-entertaining, made the whole – otherwise very much fitting – train of thoughts nothing but an idiot's deducting…
"You can stop it now." Vlad pointed, enough with that even if the laughing died away, but the figure was still silently chuckling over the statement a minute later too. As if that would be a child's blind faith standing up for the existence of the Tooth Fairy or something even more absurd.
"God..." the man breathed out then, wiping the corner of his eyes after a second, luckily seemingly finished with the amusing over of a not-got joke. "Sorry, it's just- it's still gold. I was never accused of such a thing. At least that proves you are enough crazed-up to fool yourself too. No wonder Danny thought I'm not the same…" he said, but then returned back to the less self-enjoying mascarade, as that wouldn't have been more than just a mirage, as he demystified himself. "No, I'm not Danny's human side. My current outlook is just a disguise. A copy, you could say."
"So, not your real one then." Vlad translated, standing for his, in any other way, accurate observation. If the man was not Daniel's human side, then he was still part-ghost, any other alteration was hardly probable. Their ghost parts couldn't exist without the human substrate, just as it was not an option imagining the opposite case. It too much infected the biological structure to get rid of it without any hazardous damage to the human part. That was at least he had learned in the past twenty years, trying with almost everything to make it back.
"No, it's not how do I look naturally." was it admitted, with a meaningful stepping ahead. "Now, if we discussed this existential issue, could we step over it, and start to work?" he waved towards the bottom of the stairway.
"One question," Vlad stopped him, raising up a finger. After a tired groan, the figure turned back.
"Yes?"
"Are you posing older or younger than your original outlook then?" Vlad recalled to the reaction back in the hall, when he had pointed, the man must have been fifteen years older than Daniel, just as it had been said then if he looked older it was his fault only. It wasn't about perceptional differentiating. Surely, guessing someone's age right was a talent, and even Vlad knew how much someone could be sensitive about their age – not even talking about after the incident with the prototype of the portal, since his hair turned grey, he was not a bit touchy on this subject.
But over that similarity and understanding, if the future boy was also hiding something with the current disguise, the previous signs also came back. If that- if this image now wasn't how he looked naturally then- then it was based on something else. That was why it wasn't mirroring entirely young Daniel's features – either as a thinkable older version. Just as now, as the teenager wasn't around as a comparison, the parts that weren't resembling the boy's characteristics drew more Vlad's attention than before. Especially that, the longer he was marking the elder self the familiar some details felt. Maybe it was just about what Jasmine had said, and if Daniel had 'ended up here' then- yes, in a way, people even unconsciously used to take some traits from others if they spent enough time together, but- maybe in how they dressed, or they were speaking or behaved, but not physically… still.
"I'm twenty-four." the figure reported to the previous querying. "But I doubt in my case that's the right measuring way. Also, I was unsure because I don't know how long I was in that stupid Thermos Danny trapped me in." undoubtedly reading by his weird look, Vlad got an almost derisive gaze. "You think Danny overstated about me. You should believe him in that. At least in that." he suggested. "But, I am not here to chat, so-"
Vlad nodded, realising albeit they had been quite much 'chatting' in the past few minutes, but there was still the fact the future boy came here for something from him. "It's just work then."
"Precisely."
"All right." Vlad approved. "But it's my house, my lab…" he began, setting the rules, after all, if the older version of the teenager believed he would just-
"Aham, well, no. It won't work like that, old man." the elder boy interrupted, cutting in before the regulations could have been drawn out. "How it will go is you let me alone to work and if I need your help, I'll tell you what I need and you won't take any questions about that at all, just do as I say. And I'll only answer your questions if those are necessary for the work."
"It's not a bit one-sided, don't you think?" Vlad denoted. To that he got nothing else but an eye-roll, like naively assuming such a thing could bother the older boy. "Or are you just so used to people bowing under your orders without any word?" Vlad said out then, picking on him. The tall figure as if he got caught on something, the hand reaching straight towards the handle of the lab to grab it, now missed it. "I'm just saying," Vlad clarified to the visible, almost comic bewilderment. "I'm willing to help you if it's a cooperation. I won't be a pawn on someone else's chessboard in my own house."
"Not that you wouldn't use others as pawns in every other way…" was it mumbled, barely audibly, still a bit salty by the sudden loss of balance – or that it was unluckily witnessed. But then, after a deep resigned sigh, the future boy continued a bit louder, attempting to step over the previous stunned reaction. "Fine. But you have to understand I won't explain everything. I might not be Danny's future anymore, but it's the best if I am not altering much on this version with some information you shouldn't know."
In that, Vlad had to agree, but even if the man kept himself away from everything, it hardly could be traceable he hadn't changed on something already. "I think this is workable." Vlad took the deal instead, with the slightly changed scenario of how it would go then. "One last thing…" he started, before this, all 'cooperation' would have started, and he was sure, once they walked into the lab, the previous status quo would return to the basic state in a blink of an eye.
"Yes?" rested the future boy his hand on the door handle now, though this time less impatiently from the interrupting than before.
"I'm quite sure Jasmine calls you Danny because for her you are still her little brother – although a grown-up version…"
"Dan." was Vlad cut off before he even could have continued. He heard the nickname before, but he wanted to get it first hand, not through a mocking from the younger hybrid or from an eavesdropped conversation at his front door. Besides, it was stated now with an intonation that told any other possibility was ruled out. What happened with being called Daniel?
"You changed your name." Vlad recognised to the stern tone. The suddenly closed eyes and bit lips confirmed without any other word his suspicion.
"No." the man shook his head then, much to his surprise. "I didn't. I just simply asked you not to call me Daniel anymore. You were the one who came up with 'Dan'. And I- I think I like it." he added, giving a slight press on the doorknob, stepping inside, eluding from the further explaining as he murmured the rest. "And that's what I prefer now too…"
So that was it. No more time for needless chatting – just as it was told before – from now on, it was only about work. Vlad barely acceptingly sighed and braced then himself mentally to the presumably very tiring next few hours, preparing for indeed to a joyously spent long night.
A/N: I planned here a longer note again, but then I felt this chapter turned out already long why should I let myself ramble about nonsense things... So, here is a less relevant, but interesting fact, about Vlad's sister – which won't be important for the story, I just like the concept. So, Sissy is basically a short version of Cecilie. The nickname also stands really close to 'sis'. Vlad at first only called her 'sis', then the nickname got born – she hates it. To do the math, Dan calling Jazz 'sis' here and there (unconsciously) comes from Vlad.