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]

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.