capeandcowllogs | (no subject)

WHO: Karla Sofen and Norman Osborn
WHERE: NOHoPE
SUMMARY: Karla visits her favorite patient.
FORMAT: Para to start, then whatever

Karla didn't believe in things like karma, coincidence, or destiny, but the stroke of luck that had Norman Osborn placed nicely under her care had to have been all of the above. There was no reason that Norman would have chosen her, especially after the Thunderbolts' involvement in taking him down. Crane wouldn't have given him to her if he had any degree of intelligence. So, this whole situation really didn't make sense to her.

Not that she was complaining! This was a perfect opportunity to put herself in a position to win everything, starting with this crummy little hospital and the Thunderbolts. After all, as much as she despised Norman Osborn, she hadn't figured out what she though of Edward Nygma yet, and she definitely despised Crane and Einsturzen more. Karla was happy that skank was dead, really.

Anyway, after finishing her paperwork and stopping by the pharmacy, Karla wandered down the halls of the hospital before phasing through Norman's door, leaning back on it as she inspected her patient.

"Really, Norman, it's really no surprise that we would both end up in the positions that we're currently in. Wouldn't you agree?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Norman, on the contrary, was less happy to see Karla. Far less to see her barging into his cell rather than waiting outside the class like someone with manners.

"Karla," he said coldly, not moving from his seat on his bed. She was the last person he wanted to see right now behind Angelica -- the last one he wanted to have try and pick apart his brain, at any rate. He didn't trust her, even if she could be occasionally useful.

"Have you ever tried knocking?"

His attitude toward her really wasn't surprising, after everything that happened to him, and her involvement in it.

"Really, Norman, is that any way to talk to me? After all, we've always worked so well together. And, let's face it, I'm probably the only friend you have here."

She stepped further into his room, the sat down on his bed next to him, making herself comfortable. She knew that he'd hate it, and that was probably the only reason why she did it. It was far too much fun to bother this man who had once held her freedom hostage, who had forced her to go through hell numerous times.

"I almost want to reconsider helping you now."

"I do have a right to privacy, even here," he said, arms crossed. "But I digress. What brings you here today, Karla? Don't tell me I have an appointment with you."

The words left a distasteful flavor on his tongue; he wasn't even going to utter the words 'therapy' in her presence. He leaned forward, smirking crookedly up at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Or did you just want to shoot the breeze?"

"And I have the right, as you're primary psychiatrist, to make sure that your recovery goes as smoothly as possible, and quite frankly, I'm not sure that your physicians are doing that." This was, of course, only half-true. Karla didn't particularly care if Norman fell apart here, she had helped put him here, after all, but she wasn't foolish enough to think that she didn't need allies anymore, and as far as those went, Norman Osborn was a good one to have.

So, she reached into her pocket and pulled out two or three pills, before unceremoniously taking his hand and giving them to him. "These are your old prescriptions, the ones that were working before you screwed up." Which, to be fair, she'd had no small part in, considering she did switch his medications on him just for fun back then.

"I thought you might appreciate a little clarity, and a break from what the others have put you on, which, I'm sure you realize, will not help you in any way."

Norman looked at her cautiously, then at the pills she placed in his hand. He frowned at her, curling his fingers over them. "And you're just giving them to me? What's the catch?"

He raised one eyebrow, standing. "Really, I appreciate the gesture. But I know you don't make it a habit to play nice, particularly not with someone like me. What do you want, Karla? Be honest." He tucked the pills into his pocket. "I'm willing to listen."

"Of course I'm just giving them to you! What makes you think there's a catch?" Because, with Karla, there is always a catch. "I just want to make sure that my favorite patient is properly cared for and isn't left in the hands of of idiots like Crane and Einsturzen, God rest the ugly skank's soul." And she had need of your connections and power, but let's not get into that just yet.

She remained sitting, leaning back against the wall and crossing her arms over her chest as she watched him. Norman, with the exception of maybe Zemo, Hawkeye, and, as much as she hated to admit it, Melissa, knew her too well, which meant that he knew her better than anybody in the City.

"I don't know what you're talking about," She played it safe. "you and I worked so well with the Thunderbolts. What makes you think I would throw away our relationship?"

"There's always a catch with you, m'dear," he said, deadpan. "But it is rather heartwarming to hear you speak about your coworkers in such a way. My staff, technically."

He leaned one leg against the wall, bent at the knee, hands slipping into his pockets. His fingers rubbed the pills, examining the size, the shape, all blindly. He didn't answer her second question.

Karla just shrugged. Norman knew her too well, and it was pointless for her to pretend like she was doing this for any other reason than her own interests around him. Still, she wasn't going to just come out and say it, she didn't need to.

"Oh yes, because you certainly did pick a bunch of winners to lead this place. I wonder if you're even aware what your staff has been doing to you."

"Of course I'm aware. You think I don't know what's being done to my own person? Karla, Karla. You should know better than to underestimate me." Norman tossed his hand in the air flippantly, raising an eyebrow to her.

"I'm the one who put in the word for you. Everyone else was chosen by Einstürzen."

Of course, Norman knew what was going on, or at least he thought he did, and if he didn't he'd never admit it. "You want to get out of here, don't you?

"I haven't forgotten that, Norman. I can't thank you enough for putting me in a position to take orders from a little freak like Crane of all people. That's not the point though." She stood up off his bed, looking at him seriously. "You got me in here for a reason, not let me do my job."

She turned back to the door his cell, stopping just short of opening it and walking out. "You needed this fall, Norman. From what I hear it was a long time coming, and I honestly don't doubt that. You want to know what the catch is? What's in it for me? You're better than everyone else in command right now, and I'm going to need you in top form."

"Oh please. He got that job because of who he spends his nights with, not through any decision of mine. What difference does it make? You have enough power in your hands." He narrowed his eyes, but other than that did not change his expression. "More than enough."

Calmly he watched her turn her back, and made no move to stop her. "'Need' is a dangerous word. Can I use it? Yes. Very well, in fact. And you're right, Karla -- I am. Right now, in the past, and certainly any time in the future. While I waste my time here, would you be a dear and bring me a typewriter? I do have to keep myself occupied if I'm ever going to get better."