A lock after an ocean facing hours.

[enigmaestro]

WHO: EDWARD NYGMA and NORMAN OSBORN
WHERE: Oscorp
WHEN: Late evening, 7/29.
WARNINGS: Violence.
SUMMARY: After a heated discussion, Eddie storms Oscorp.
FORMAT: Quickpara.



[It wasn't a sound ploy, he knew that. Forcing his way into Oscorp, just to prove that Norman wasn't in command anymore -- just to prove that his death trap had indeed meant something, that their game had changed. He knew this wasn't perhaps a necessary point to prove. But he wanted this, and badly. He thirsted for this.

Edward didn't bother chatting with the guards, and he slipped past the security coded thresholds with ease. Norman wouldn't save his higher-end security (the real good stuff) for his public image, that would be too suspicious. Too good a code, and they knew you had something to hide.

From street to office side, Edward was greeting Norman in under four minutes.

No attempt was made to knock.]

Well, well, you would savor the nicer view for yourself.

Comments

[osreborn]

[ Norman strolled over to Eddie from one of his lab desks, eyes narrowed but face otherwise calm. His coat was off and his sleeves were rolled up, but he had been doing paperwork this night; lucky that he had no sensitive inventions currently in the works. ]

I said that I was busy.

[enigmaestro]

[Eddie strolled around the room, moving in a crescent pattern and keeping a wide berth. His smile at Norman was far from congenial.]

I don't take orders from you. I don't even take requests from you, Norman Osborn, you need to understand. Don't think for a second you escaped our last conflict against my wishes.

[osreborn]

[ Norman swooped close, making no pretense at hospitality. He grabbed Eddie by the collars of his coat and slammed him roughly against one of his desks. ]

You're in my territory now, Nygma. After hours. Trespassing, breaking and entering. I am well within my legal rights to shoot you right now.

[ He has no intention to, obviously, but he's making a point. He sneers down at Eddie and strokes a finger down his cheek, his other hand still gripping tightly Eddie's jacket. ]

My laboratories are built like fortresses. No one would ever see the bloodstains. No one would hear a goddamn sound.

[enigmaestro]

[It happened quick, much too quick. Eddie was standing with his mouth in a grin, and then in half a second he was on his back over Norman's desk with a bruised shoulder and a finger running gently down his cheek. His mouth was open, soundlessly.

He took a breath before he could speak.]

I knew it.

[The tremble in his surprised chords melted swiftly, usurped by a smirk.]

I knew it was in there, just bubbling barely beneath the surface. The authentic Norman Osborn. The violent psychopath, oh my, that didn't take too long!

[osreborn]

Oh, please. You and I are far past pretenses.

[ Norman dug his finger into Eddie's cheek just slightly, not enough to draw blood. His eyes were wide, fixed on Eddie. Then they narrowed. He graced Eddie with a mild smirk, unamused but full of teeth. ]

If you're here to break my rules, you can't have expected this to go pleasantly for you. I take them extremely seriously. What were you hoping to accomplish tonight, Edward? Do you want to see me in my tights that badly?

[ Both his hands found Eddie's collar again and Norman shook him, hard, slamming his head against the table. ]

[enigmaestro]

Nngh! [Eddie's head bounced against the table, his occipital lobe taking the brunt force. Dazed, for but a moment, he sought to keep a steady breath.] Ow.

I have a theory.

[A swallow, and he stared back at Norman. His expressions, his mouth kept moving so that his hands could inch quietly along.]

A theory that you'll crumble into him, wholly, the second your control evaporates. And not just your self control, mind, but the control you have over others. Over events. Your control of presence in this very world.

[Hands shot up, aiming for Norman's throat.]

You're just a control freak, that's what's left of your humanity!

[osreborn]

I'm not losing my mind, if that's what you're suggesting. Not whatsoever. I think just as clearly as I did a year ago -- five years ago -- interferences be damned. Honestly, it's a much sharper clarity.

[ Hissing in when Eddie went for his throat, Norman stepped backward and pulled Eddie along, throwing him toward the wall. Norman sneered, his eyes glassy with unbridled mania. ]

You know what they say. The truth will set you free.

[ He stepped over toward Eddie, hands fisted at his sides. ]

I have complete control, body and mind. Impulse, now... well, I'd say this hardly counts.

[enigmaestro]

[Eddie hit the wall, hard, and slid down it without bodily protest. His arms buzzed with pain, his chest was winded -- and neither proved ample reason to stop talking. He spat at Norman's feet, bracing himself with bravado.]

You don't, you know. Not complete control. [He watches Norman's signs, those physical whispers of mania. He caught Norman on a rise, he realized, that's why it was so easier to coax out his more aggressive side. His unbalanced self.]

Like with any addiction, you'll find yourself buried. Suffocated. And I'll be there to kick more dirt over your head, trust me.

[He was satisfied with his proof, something to sate his own questions. The risk was now outgrowing the gain. Eddie glanced at the door behind them, across the room.]

[osreborn]

[ Grabbing a fistful of Eddie's hair, Norman pulled him up to his chest level, so that Norman could stare down at Eddie. His face settled into an expression much more calm, something between disdain and amusement for the anger to hide behind. It was a mask he slipped on in seconds. ]

Don't look at the door. Just like you don't just let yourself out of prison cells, and you don't just let yourself in and out of my domain.

[ Norman's teeth bared again. He cracked his wrist slowly, balling his hand into a fist again and driving it hard against Eddie's torso, his ribs. He was going easy; otherwise they would have shattered instead of, perhaps, only cracking. He leaned close to Eddie so that his voice was nearly a whisper, eyes wide again. ]

I do have control. I have. Control. Plenty of it. It's you who should be concerned, Edward. Don't you think I can't see it in your eyes, struggling again for due recognition? Don't you think I won't do all that I can to coax and rip it out of you? You continue playing hard to get, but it won't be long.

[enigmaestro]

[It hurt, a lot. The blow. His ribs -- two, three perhaps -- cracked under Norman's fist. Edward recoiled at the motion, gasping with unprepared agony. It hurt to breathe, yes, had to be three ribs cracked.]

I have already proven I can find you, Norman, I can force you from your dark little corners. [The words leaked out from behind clenched teeth.] I can rub your face in every mirror reflecting every little demon in your mind. And at the moment, that's all I need.

Don't tempt me with greater ambition.

[osreborn]

Do you really think your little death trap will make me crack? Did? Oh, that is ego.

[ Norman grabbed Eddie's arm, twisting it but not breaking it. Just causing pain. He threw Eddie at the door, following him over to grab Eddie's hair and hit his head against the metal. ]

If you want me to be more aggressive, you should have just asked. Because I won't be gentle the next time I lock you in the dark. I want you to spill your secrets like blood.

[enigmaestro]

Son of a --! [Blood burst from his mouth as his flesh made contact with metal. He choked on his own blood, balking under Norman's hand, his limbs sprawled, twitching and powered by solely panicked adrenaline. Eddie tried to slip from Norman's grip, squirming and yelling for distraction.]

Lunatic! You sniveling wheyface! So easy to hit behind steel doors isn't it?

[osreborn]

You haven't earned a public performance from me, as much as I'd love to open your head against the sidewalk.

[ Norman exhaled slowly through his teeth, cocking his head and looking at Eddie with those same mania-filled eyes from before. ]

Don't undervalue what happens behind closed doors simply because you're afraid of being without escape.

[enigmaestro]

I have so little to fear from you. [He hissed this, an opaque promise spoken in blood.] You've done enough to me, haven't you, and I've come back stronger each and every time. What does that mean, Norman?

[He sits up, smearing away the red from his mouth.]

What does it mean, when the worst you do to me is only a benefit?

[osreborn]

Don't kid yourself. I can see it in you every day. I've gotten under your skin in more ways than you want to admit.

[ Norman sneered and gave Eddie's face a gentle stroke, from cheek to lips to chin, before stepping away from him. ]

Your revenge is proof of that. Your mask is slipping, Nygma, and one day it'll fall altogether. And it won't just be private.

[ He pointed to the door. ]

Now you should go.

[enigmaestro]

[He wiped his mouth again, with the back of his hand, staring at Norman as he rose to his feet. It was a shaky motion that grew steady in inches, like the first few breaths of a nearly drowned man. He held his head high, walking out with a straight back, towards Norman -- equal with Norman -- past Norman --

Edward swung around and backhanded the other man with the full brunt of his vicious movement.]

[osreborn]

[ Norman's head snapped to the side with the force of Eddie's hit, and he took a step back, holding his cheek and glaring. He swings his fist at Eddie's chest, aiming for his cracked ribs. He swings relentlessly, his chest heaving with excited breath. ]

Most people would quit while they were ahead. But I like a little fiestyness.

[enigmaestro]

[At least one of those cracked ribs soon became broken. Eddie yelled out, unable to censor his vocal reaction. Ineffectual as he efforts were, he tried to squirm away. Any measure of shielding against Norman's onslaught was what he sought.]

Stop!

[osreborn]

Too much? Is that too rough for you? That's just too bad.

[ Norman lifted Eddie by his coat again and threw him, harder, against the door. ]

I said that it was time for you to leave.

[enigmaestro]

[Eddie groaned on impact, the door knob jabbing his lower spine. It was incredibly unpleasant, incredibly painful. He anchored himself against the wood and plaster, making the effort to look Norman in the eye.]

I test theories about you. With my tape recorder, I test them daily.

Sometimes the oddest things come up.

[osreborn]

[ Norman narrowed his eyes, once again leaning close. ]

What are you talking about?

[enigmaestro]

I made deductions about you. Your past, your preference. [Eddie sneered the word, his teeth smeared red.] And I tested them. I tested intimate facts about you, Norman Osborn.

I know you're sexually attracted to power.

[osreborn]

Why? Why would you see fit to something like that? That's perverse, even for you.

[ Norman's teeth ground in anger. There was no shame to this reveal, but Norman's temper only flared more. His hand moved to Eddie's throat. ]

[enigmaestro]

Even for me? I'm a herald of truth, I'm not the one prancing about suckling power to get off on -- Acck! Gkkk!

[I guess he needs his throat to speak.]

[osreborn]

Especially for you.

[ Norman squeezed. ]

Are you ready to leave? Or do you still want to incriminate yourself more?

[enigmaestro]

I -- [He clawed at Norman's face, his own turning bluer.] Mitchell. Has pow -- nngh.

[He was close enough, now.

Eddie's knee shot out, aimed right between Norman's legs.]

[osreborn]

[ Hatred flashed through Norman's eyes, a burning desire to just snap Eddie's neck then and be done with it. He resisted the urge, and fell backward a step with a pained exhalation when Eddie kneed him. ]

Ghh--! You -- are -- digging your own grave. As we speak.

[ He panted, keeping a momentary distance. ]

I will strip you down to true form, Nygma, and everyone will see you as I do. As I have. And I will enjoy every second.

[enigmaestro]

Would you want that, Norman? [Eddie's hand went to his own throat, massaging it.] Would you want other people to enjoy my exposure? To have claim in my... Misfortune? For me to have others to deal with?

[osreborn]

Please. There are always distinct levels to rivalry. Certain defeats need to be public, or else there is no point. And you can't claim not to have earned this one.

[ Norman closed in on him again, cracking his knuckles. ]

I'll always have claim in other ways.

[enigmaestro]

Come one step closer, Norman. [Eddie hissed, smearing the blood from his mouth onto his hand, and across the door. Ruining the paint job.] And we'll see what new defeats are made public.

[osreborn]

You won't get the satisfaction. I've already defeated that little victory of yours. I won't fall for it again.

[ He swings another punch for Eddie's stomach, sneering. ]

Choose your battles wisely.

[enigmaestro]

[Eddie buckled into the punch, bending over. Blood spewed from his mouth, onto the carpet beneath their feet.]

I'll -- [He gasped a few breaths, hastily.] I'll keep that in mind, Norman.

[Hand on the knob, he twisted it open.]

[osreborn]

[ Norman's sneer remained, twisting into a smirk. He stood where he was, watching Eddie get the door open. ]

Try not to drip too much blood on your way out.