55 | video | joint post

[osreborn]

[ The video turns on to display the Norman Osborn Hospital of Psychiatric Evaluation, Norman Osborn himself and the warden, Danger, standing in front of it.

Norman has his trademark smirk in place, though there's a hint of annoyance in his expression -- a hint that's at least not at all present in his tone when he starts speaking: ]

Afternoon. As most of you know, I'm Norman Osborn, and this behind me is the Norman Osborn Hospital of Psychiatric Evaluation, subject in recent months and weeks to both terrorist attacks and patches in the security perimeter. Obviously, I was not a bit happy about these incidents befalling such an important institution, nor was my associate here.

[ He indicates Danger. ]

This is the hospital's warden and primary security consultant; she, under my supervision, has been heading a total revamp of the facility's security, fixing what had worn down and overhauling entirely what needed rebuilding from the ground up. But I won't go on-- she can speak for herself.

[ He moves aside for Danger to take the stage. She steps forward. Aside from a slight pinch in her eyebrows that suggests a hint of impatience or something like it, her face is passive and her voice is brisk:]

The majority of our upgrades are structural and technological in nature, with components designed by myself and my colleague. Improved protocols and equipment will be implemented, in addition to new treatment and release programs. However, I will decline to confuse you with the details-- it suffices to say that the breeches in security at the Osborn facility will not be reoccurring.

[ She folds her arms over her chest loosely, her tone becoming pointed: ]

If you should find yourself in our care, I suggest you put thoughts of escape from your mind. Otherwise, I will personally have to disappoint you.

[ Smiling off to her side, Norman claps his hands a couple times in a (perhaps mildly patronizing) signal of approval. ]

Indeed. I hope you all feel in safer and better hands knowing that these problems are being swiftly and successfully contained. There has been no staff turnover, but I'll be taking firmer role in both management and supervision to ensure everything proceeds smoothly. At our current pace everything should be completed in less than a month. Thank you, Danger.

[ But despite the conclusion Norman still appears as if he's about to go on, and after a moment he does: ]

Also, briefly, in other news: I'm sure some of the student-aged populous may have already read online long ago about the undergraduate scholarship my company is sponsoring, but as the deadline draws nearer I'd be remiss not to mention it myself. Consider it a reminder -- but anyone entering college in the Fall with an interest in any science might consider applying if they haven't already. The deadline is still July 1st.

That's all.

( OOC: The details of the NOHoPE security revamp can be read in full HERE. Information on the scholarship can be found HERE & anyone interested can just drop a comment to that post saying so! )

Comments

[enigmaestro]

Are you feeling cornered?

[heartlessglitch]

No.
I am much more aggressive when I feel cornered.

[enigmaestro]

Would you call this flirtation?

[heartlessglitch]

Are you attempting to rile me by asking that?

[enigmaestro]

It's an honest enough query.

[heartlessglitch]

Flirting as a human social phenomena is somewhat beyond me.
It seems to require a certain indirectness I generally find annoying to decipher.
Is that answer satisfactory?

[enigmaestro]

Fair enough. But am I expected to believe you haven't experimented with navigating such imprecise custom? Even a little?

[heartlessglitch]

Of course I have.
I am not completely inexperienced.

[enigmaestro]

I wasn't about to accuse you of virginity.

Unless.

[heartlessglitch]

I hardly see how that is relevant to you.

[enigmaestro]

Can't we share secrets?

ER PRIVATE ACTUALLY

[heartlessglitch]

Are you going to make a failsafe for my secrets as well?

PRIVATE

[enigmaestro]

Bold move, Danger. I'd love the challenge, if you're keen -- or was this only a sardonic query?

PRIVATE

[heartlessglitch]

[ a pause-- betraying curiosity, maybe. ]

Is that something you are capable of?

PRIVATE

[enigmaestro]

Intellectually speaking, yes. I can conceive the sequence.

The trick is finding someone who can execute them.

But I'm very good at Networking.

[Sollux and Mitchell immediately come to mind.]

PRIVATE

[heartlessglitch]

Is knowing my secrets worth going to such lengths?

PRIVATE

[enigmaestro]

I'm accustomed to protecting what I know.

PRIVATE

[heartlessglitch]

And I am accustomed to protecting myself.
Which is a dilemma, given that I do not trust you.
Yet I find you are enough my intellectual equal to understand me.

PRIVATE

[enigmaestro]

It is very human, to want to be understood. Something that might prove interesting in experiment.

PRIVATE

[heartlessglitch]

I have at points considered it my second greatest flaw.
Wanting to be understood, that is.

PRIVATE

[enigmaestro]

Should I inquire as to what you consider your greatest flaw, then?

PRIVATE

[heartlessglitch]

[ a brief pause ]

Wanting to be loved.

PRIVATE

[enigmaestro]

[His reply isn't immediate.]

Also innately human. But that one, I find, is easier to outgrow.

PRIVATE

[heartlessglitch]

That is possible.
I am very young.

PRIVATE

[enigmaestro]

And, presumably, immortal. Given that certain variables continue to function, I doubt you'll succumb to entropy as easily.

Though, I suppose -- here, do even organics reach a point where aging isn't an option?