Not even the most bitter and cynical person starts out cynical. Once upon a time, Vlad lived with his adopted parents in (insert Slavic country) and he was a cheerful young boy lizard. he was often seen as abit of a curiosity as the only lizard in town, but his big stature gave people second thoughts towards aggressive behaviour.
Here we have Vladimir in his happier younger days playing hockey with the local kids dressed with thick layers of wool his mother specially knitted for him against the bitter cold any lizard would find unbearable.